Liberty University Club Sports
Women's Midwest College Hockey Playoffs
Lady Flames have WMCH Tournament title streak snapped at three by Midland, 2-1
2/25/2023 11:28:00 PM | Women's D1 Hockey
Liberty University’s No. 1-ranked ACHA Division I women’s hockey team suffered its third setback of the season on Saturday in a game with the highest stakes to date, falling 2-1 to Midland (Neb.) University in the Women’s Midwest College Hockey (WMCH) Tournament championship game at the Maryville University Hockey Center in Chesterfield, Mo.
In a rematch of last season’s WMCH and ACHA Division I National Championship finals, the three-time-defending WMCH and four-time-defending ACHA DI champion Lady Flames (23-2-1) allowed the No. 2-ranked Warriors (26-4-5) to score single goals in the first and second periods while holding them scoreless.
“Obviously, it wasn’t a great start for us,” Liberty Head Coach Chris Lowes said, noting that Midland scored first on a power play goal by ACHA leading scorer Ally Rakowski just 5:45 after the opening faceoff and the Warriors killed the Lady Flames’ only 5-on-4 chance of the contest two minutes later. “It was a good game, a fast game, and a really good hockey game. Definitely give Midland credit. Especially in the first period and part of the second, they took it to us at times and we missed some opportunities and couldn’t find the equalizer.”
The Lady Flames outshot the Warriors, 30-24, and junior goalie Amanda Storey made 22 saves in the loss.
“We were evenly matched and I liked the matchup, liked how we looked,” Lowes said. “I don’t think we played poorly. Both teams had similar surges in them. It’s hockey and single-elimination is challenging, especially against a team as talented as Midland is.”
After Liberty cut the deficit to 2-1 on the 10th goal of the year by senior forward and alternate captain Yannick Truter off an assist from graduate forward and head captain Shelby Bradford just 44 seconds into the third period, Midland shut the Lady Flames down the rest of the way to claim their first WMCH tournament crown.
“Yannick made a nice play,” Lowes said. “She was all alone on a rush and was able to get a stick in tight. That goal gave us a lot of energy, and we carried that through the third period, but we just couldn’t beat a team that was playing well, and they had a good goaltender. The positive thing is we get to skate on Monday when we get back (to Lynchburg, Va.). Our season’s not over and the really big prize is still sitting out there. We have a few weeks to get ready for a chance to go back (to the March 16-20 National Championships near Boston) and redeem ourselves.”
Whereas Liberty only had to beat Maryville in Friday’s semifinals to reach the championship, Midland had to get past Lindenwood in Thursday’s quarterfinals and No. 3-seeded Minot State in the semis. After having their 57-game winning streak snapped by McKendree in January and losing to Minot in early February, the Lady Flames expect a wide-open national tournament in mid-March.
“There will be upsets,” Lowes said, noting that the Nos. 3- through 10-seeded teams will play on March 16 and 17 before Liberty plays its first game in the quarterfinals. “We will see who rises to the top. This is another challenge on our journey. We’ve got to find a way to right the ship and get back to work, still keeping our eyes on the prize. It is just a short stretch before we leave for nationals, and if we needed any more motivation, this weekend should provide it.”
By Ted Allen/Staff Writer
