MILWAUKEE, WI – In a contest defined by resilient defense and late-game spark, the Beloit College Buccaneers women's ice hockey team displayed immense heart this evening. While the final score favored the MSOE Raiders 4-2, the Buccaneers proved they could punch above their weight, controlling the early momentum and mounting a spirited comeback attempt in the final minutes.
The Buccaneers (2-14-0, 0-4-0 WIAC) wasted no time making their presence felt at the Kern Center. Just over six minutes into the first period, Beloit's top-line chemistry ignited. Following a relentless sequence in the offensive zone, Kennedy Gruhlke (Eau Claire, Wis.) found the back of the net at the 06:41 mark to give the Buccaneers a 1-0 lead. The goal was perfectly orchestrated by Avery Sinclair (Fort Frances, Ontario) and Hannah Chady (Janesville, Wis.), whose vision in the neutral zone created the opening the Buccaneers needed.
The first period was a masterclass in "bend-but-don't-break" hockey for Beloit. Despite facing a barrage of 13 shots from the Raiders (6-8-1,3-4-1 NCHA), the Buccaneers' defense held firm, led by a spectacular performance between the pipes by Madison Bliss (Fort Frances, Ontario). Bliss turned away 13 shots in the opening frame alone, ensuring Beloit headed into the first intermission with the lead and all the momentum.
The second period saw a shift in momentum as MSOE's Hannah Baumann and Amy MacDonald found ways to slip past the Beloit defense, turning the 1-0 lead into a 2-1 deficit for the Buccaneers.
However, even as the Raiders pressed, Beloit's discipline shone through. The Buccaneers' penalty kill unit was tested early in the second half of the game, and the defensive pairings of Claire Dixon (Edwards, Colo.) and Sinclair worked tirelessly to limit high-danger scoring chances. Bliss continued her heroic effort in net, finishing the night with 29 saves and keeping the Buccaneers within striking distance throughout the second and third periods.
The Late-Game Surge
After MSOE extended their lead to 4-1 midway through the third period, many teams would have folded. Instead, the Buccaneers dug deep, finding a second wind that shifted the ice back in their favor.
With just over two minutes remaining in regulation, Kylie Schryer (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario)provided a massive spark for the Beloit bench. At 17:51, Schryer notched her third goal of the season, a clinical finish off yet another primary assist from Sinclair. The goal energized the Buccaneers, who peppered MSOE's Alexa Novak with nine shots in the final frame—their most productive period of the night offensively.
Leading the charge for the Bucs was Sinclair, the undisputed playmaker on the night. Sinclair finished with two assists and a team-high +2 rating, figuring into every goal Beloit scored. A wall in the crease, Bliss's 29 saves kept the game competitive, particularly during MSOE's heavy offensive pushes in the first and second periods.
The Buccaneers don't return to the ice until January 23rd and 24th when they host the number one team division three, UW-River Falls. The two game stand will serve as the final home games for the 2025-26 season for Beloit. Puck drop on the 23rd is set for 7 pm while puck drop for the 24th is set for 2 pm.
