From McKendree University Athletics
By Patrick Knapinski
O’FALLON, Mo. | McKendree Metro Rec Plex – Sixth-ranked McKendree University women’s hockey (2-1-0, 1-1-0 WMCH) captured the program’s 100th victory on Thursday afternoon during a 4-1 matinee victory against Niagara. The Bearcats utilized a trio of third-period goals to break the tie with scores by senior forward Kiley Hasenfratz, junior forward Jayna Barnden, and senior defense Aria Groot. McKendree is back in action on September 28 and 29 at Lindenwood at Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights.
McKendree hosted the second-year Purple Eagles in an early afternoon matinee match up at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex, looking to get back in the win column and found a late spark to get that done. The Bearcats struck first in the first period with just under nine minutes remaining as slight chaos occurred around the crease with junior forward Brooke Lannon finding the back of the net. Lannon got the dish outs from senior defense Aria Groot and senior forward Isobelle Hobbs for the 1-0 advantage. Niagara tied the contest at 1-1 late in the first period.
The second period of the day saw the two squads battling back and forth for the advantage but neither could find a breakthrough. In the opening minutes of the third period, the Bearcats bashed through the Eagles’ back line to take another lead on the day as senior forward Kiley Hasenfratz fired the eventual game-winner for a 2-1 lead. On Hasenfratz’s goal, junior forward Jayna Barnden and Groot tallied assists. In the latter half of the final period, McKendree added two more scores with Barnden bashing the puck into the back of the net which was followed by Groot firing her own score for the 4-1 lead and then victory on the day.
Junior goaltender Rachel Staresinic captured the win in full time in goal with 17 saves in the win.
The victory for the Bearcats marked the programs 100th win with 90 coming under current McKendree women’s hockey head coach Derek Pallardy. McKendree began play in 2016-17 with 10 wins during its inaugural season while the most wins in a season came in the 2023-24 campaign with 17 victories.
(Originally published at https://mckbearcats.com/news/2024/9/26/womens-hockey-adds-programs-100th-victory-with-triumph-over-niagara.aspx)
