MEQUON, Wis. – In a challenging Saturday afternoon matchup at the Ozaukee Ice Center, the Beloit College Buccaneers (2-12-0, 0-4-0 WIAC) showcased a resilient spirit despite falling 9-0 to a powerhouse Concordia University Wisconsin team. Facing a Falcons squad that entered the day with a staggering 12-1-0 (8-0-0 NCHA) record, the Buccaneers relied on gritty defensive stands and strong individual performances at the faceoff dot.
The story of the game for the Buccaneers was the Herculean effort of goaltender Zoey Soost (Gillette, Wyoming), who saw her first action of the season. Facing a relentless offensive barrage from the Falcons, Soost was forced to remain sharp for the full 60 minutes. She turned away 36 shots in total, including 13 saves in a high-pressure third period. Her ability to track the puck amidst a flurry of CUW scoring chances kept the Buccaneers competitive in several extended defensive-zone stretches.
While the Falcons controlled the scoreboard, Beloit found its offensive rhythm during the second period. After being limited to just four shots in the opening frame, the Buccaneers doubled their production in the second, peppering the CUW net with eight shots.
This momentum was driven by Beloit's success in the faceoff circle. The Buccaneers won 11 draws in the second period alone, led by the clinical work of Kylie Schryer (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) and Kennedy Gruhlke (Eau Claire, Wis.). Schryer finished the day as the team's top centerman, winning 9 of 17 draws (52.9%), while Gruhlke was even more efficient, winning over 55% of her matchups. This control at the dot allowed Beloit to sustain possession and earn two of their four power-play opportunities during the middle frame.
Madi Hoffman (Madison, Wis.) emerged as the primary threat for the Buccaneers' attack. Hoffman led the team with four shots on goal, consistently finding lanes through the Falcons' defense. She was supported by Makenzee Kostiuk (Thunder Bay, Ontario), Schryer and Natalie Gurr (Okotoks, Alberta, Canada), who each recorded two shots on target.
Defensively, the Buccaneers weren't afraid to put their bodies on the line. The team recorded 7 blocked shots, with Naiya Chapman (Gillette, Wyoming), Avery Sinclair (Fort Frances, Ontario), and Hannah Chady (Janesville, Wis. )among those sacrificing themselves to disrupt the Falcons' shooting lanes.
The physical nature of the game saw Beloit match the Falcons' intensity. Despite the final score, Beloit's penalty kill unit showed flashes of brilliance, successfully navigating a 5-on-3 disadvantage during the second period and limiting the Falcons' potent power play to just two goals on four attempts.
The Buccaneers return to the ice on Wednesday, January 14th at the Kern Center in Milwaukee. Puck drop between the Bucs and MSOE is set for 6 pm.
