MEQUON, WI – In a hard-fought Friday night matchup at the Ozaukee Ice Center, the Beloit College Buccaneers (2-12-0, 0-4-0 WIAC) women's hockey team displayed remarkable defensive resilience, holding the powerhouse Concordia University Wisconsin Falcons (12-1-0, 8-0-0 NCHA) to just two goals in a narrow 2-0 defeat.
The story of the night for Beloit was the stellar performance of goaltender Madison Bliss (Fort Frances, Ontario). Under a near-constant barrage of 32 shots on goal, Bliss remained a beacon of stability for the Buccaneers. She turned away all 10 shots faced in the opening frame and finished the night with 30 saves.
Her performance kept Beloit within striking distance until the final horn, particularly during a high-pressure second period where she made 13 saves to prevent the game from slipping away.
The Buccaneers' momentum was at its peak during the first period. Beloit's defensive structure was suffocating, frustrating the Falcons and resulting in a 0-0 stalemate heading into the first intermission. This scoreless opening period served as a major confidence booster for the Buccaneers, proving their ability to shut down high-octane offenses.
Beloit's "bend-but-don't-break" mentality was further evidenced by their commitment to shot-blocking. The team recorded 11 blocked shots on the night. Natalie Gurr (Okotoks, Alberta, Canada), Kennedy Gruhlke (Eau Claire, Wis.), Hannah Chady (Janesville, Wis. ) and Makenzee Kostiuk (Thunder Bay, Ontario) each sacrificed their bodies to register two blocks apiece.
While the scoresheet remained empty for the Bucs, several players were instrumental in maintaining the team's competitive edge. Kylie Schryer (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario) was a force in the faceoff circle, winning a team-high 11 draws (57.9%). Her ability to win puck possession allowed Beloit to relieve pressure and transition into the offensive zone. Julia Fussy (Mahtomedi, Minn.) led the offensive charge with two shots on goal and was a physical presence throughout the game, matching the Falcons' intensity in the corners.
Faced with three CUW power plays, the Buccaneers' penalty kill unit was nearly perfect, successfully neutralizing two of the three opportunities and limiting the Falcons' looks during man-advantage situations.
The Falcons ultimately found the back of the net twice in the second period—once on a power play by Naomi Black and again at even strength by Michaela Gerum—but the Buccaneers never wavered. Even in the third period, Beloit continued to push, earning a power play late in the game (13:24) that created several tense moments in front of the CUW net.
The Bucs and Falcons will face off again tomorrow afternoon at the Ozaukee Ice Center. Puck drop is set for 3 pm.
