From Portage Online
By River Foster
A former Central Plains Capitals goaltender has helped guide Assiniboine Community College to the best record in their conference. Megan Beswitherick and the ACC Cougars have won six straight games, having only lost their first contest of the season. The goalie outlines how she’s adjusted to a higher level of hockey.
“It hasn’t been too difficult. I have a really good team in front of me, so I face substantially fewer shots than I did in AAA,” Beswitherick explains. “It’s kind of a nice break but now I have had to adjust to staying focused throughout the game with fewer shots.”
Beswitherick says the Cougars have a ton of speed and have worked extremely hard throughout this season. ACC has a record of 8-1 so far this season with Beswitherick having a perfect 6-0 record as the starter.
The Austin, Manitoba product is placed in the top 10 in the entirety of the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division 2 in both major statistical categories. Beswitherick is ranked eighth in goals-against-average at 0.86, after letting in just five goals all season, and is placed seventh in save percentage at 0.958. The former Capital has also shut out two teams this season.
Beswitherick says they have had to travel more than she is used to this season with a plethora of their opponents being south of the border. She says the travel has only made them stronger as a team.
“We usually arrive Thursday night and then we have all of Friday to really prepare. We don’t have those bus legs, right off the bat,” says Beswitherick. “It’s also a good opportunity for all of us girls to click, be able to talk on the bus, and become really close.”
The goalie notes they don’t have a typical playoff format this year but adds they are looking forward to what’s ahead after the regular season.
“We don’t have playoffs this year but in our league, the top two teams go to nationals in St. Louis. We only have February left and then March 15-19 we’ll be in St. Louis for nationals.”
The former Capital says the Cougars have basically locked in a spot in the ACHA Women’s Division 2 National Tournament, noting as long as they keep playing the way they have been they will punch their ticket. She says her main goals going forward just involve winning.
“My personal goal is only to give my teammates the opportunity to win,” Beswitherick continues. “I don’t care if I get a shutout or what my stats are, I just want to be able to give my team the opportunity to win.”
Beswitherick and the Cougars have six more games to play this regular season with the next coming on February 11 as they hit the road to take on the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.
(Originally published at https://portageonline.com/local-sports/beswitherick-ranked-as-a-top-10-goalie-in-acha-division-2)
