STEVENS POINT, Wis. -- In a tightly contested battle at the KB Willett Arena this evening, the Beloit College Buccaneers (2-17-0, 0-7-0 WIAC) proved they could go toe-to-toe with UW-Stevens Point (9-11-0, 3-4-0 WIAC). While the final score favored the Pointers 2-1, the story of the game was the sheer resilience and defensive discipline displayed by the Buccaneers, who fought until the final horn.

The game began with the Pointers putting immediate pressure on the Beloit defense. After a cross-checking penalty at the 7:34 mark, UWSP's Grace Torma capitalized on the power play to give the Pointers an early 1-0 lead.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the closing minutes of the first period. Rather than retreating, the Buccaneers mounted a disciplined counter-attack. With just 20 seconds remaining in the period, Kylie Schryer (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) found the back of the net off a clinical assist from Claire Dixon (Edwards, Colo.). This late-period strike neutralized the Pointers' early lead and sent Beloit into the first intermission with all the momentum and a 1-1 tie.

The second period was a masterclass in defensive survival for Beloit. The Pointers unleashed a staggering 17 shots on goal in the middle frame alone, yet the Buccaneers' "bend-but-don't-break" mentality held firm.

Goaltender Janelle Quast (Litchfield, Minn.) was the undisputed star of the evening. Facing a relentless barrage, Quast turned aside 37 of the 39 shots she faced, finishing with a stellar .949 save percentage. Her performance in the second period—keeping the game tied despite the Pointers' shot advantage—gave the Buccaneers a legitimate chance to steal a road victory.

Helping Quast in the defensive zone were Natalie Gurr (Okotoks, Alberta, Canada) and Fianne Makela (Duluth, MN). Gurr led the team with 6 blocked shots, while Makela added 4 of her own, demonstrating the selflessness and grit that defined Beloit's effort.

The stalemate continued well into the third period as both teams searched for the decider. Unfortunately for the Buccaneers, UWSP's Tara Rigan managed to slip one past at 13:21 to reclaim the lead for the Pointers.

Beloit's coaching staff showed great confidence in their squad late in the game. With under a minute to play, Beloit called a timeout and pulled Quast for an extra attacker. The Buccaneers won a critical faceoff in the offensive zone with 21 seconds remaining, but the Pointers' defense managed to stifle the final flurry, preserving the 2-1 win.

The Buccaneers and Pointers meet again tomorrow afternoon. Puck drop is set for 2 pm.