Lady Flames set up WMCH championship rematch with Midland after surviving Saints, 2-1

Liberty University's top-ranked, five-time-defending ACHA Division I national championship women's hockey team earned a WMCH final rematch against second-seeded, undefeated Midland (Neb.) University, set for Saturday at 2:30 p.m., by sneaking past No. 4 Maryville (Mo.) University, 2-1, late Friday night at the LaHaye Ice Center.

"Maryville's a super good opponent and it's always fun to play in those games that are really close," Lady Flames sophomore goalie Alex Keith said. "We're going to get a good night's sleep and it's going to be a big game. We are super excited for it. All of us feel super good and we're all really excited. Hopefully, we can keep the trophy here and have a different outcome than last year."

Midland (29-0-2), which ended Liberty's three-year run as WMCH tournament champions in last season's final near St. Louis and swept the Lady Flames on its home ice before Christmas Break, shut out No. 3-seeded Minot State, 2-0, in Friday's first semifinal.

"It's going to take a complete performance," Liberty Head Coach Chris Lowes said. "We're going to have to pick each other up and be ready for everything. The first 10 minutes of (Friday's) game, we played really good hockey and it's like, how do we double that (on Saturday)?"

Against Maryville (19-15-1), the Lady Flames (20-4-2) broke open the scoreless contest by capitalizing on a power play with 32.4 seconds left in the second period when junior defenseman Madison Glynn's shot from the right circle rebounded off the skate of a Maryville defenseman to junior forward Haley Battles. Her backhanded putback in the slot was deflected by sophomore forward Brookelyn Beauchamp past Saints goalie Kaitlyn Cadrain from point-blank range for a 1-0 Liberty lead.

"Beachamp's been doing really well, getting sticks in front and putting them in the net," Keith said.

"Beauchamp was dangerous last week and it's good to see her keep it going," Lowes added. "We needed that goal. Special teams are always important come playoff time."

Both teams scored in the third period on shots from along the boards deflected through the five hole, with Maryville forward Sydney Poisson tipping a low shot by Saints leading scorer Mady Johnsen between the pads of Keith for the equalizer with 9:05 remaining in regulation. Glynn netted the game winner just 3:01 later with 6:04 to go when her shot from the outside edge of the left circle was redirected by a Maryville defender between the legs of Cadrain.

"Those are times when you have to lock down, and it's good that we have players like Maddy that can bury those to put us back in the lead," Keith said.

"It was a heck of a battle," Lowes added. "That's kind of what I anticipate with playoff hockey … where there were pucks bouncing by crossbars, over shoulders. Two of the three goals tonight were soft shots from the outside from deep and you get traffic and they found a way. That's kind of playoff hockey, find a way to put pucks on net and good things happen."

Keith was named the Lady Flames first Star of the Game for another solid performance in net that raised her record to 10-1-2 on the year.

"Alex did her thing, especially early on their power play," Lowes said. "There were a couple broken plays, scramble plays where the puck was floating around our goal line. Her job was to keep it out and she found a way."

"Our (defensemen) are super reliable ... and they did pretty good at stopping odd-man rushes," Keith added. "It was really controlled in the offensive zone and our girls did really good with their gaps and stepping up and not letting (Maryville break through). I have my full trust in them to bear down when we need it to block shots."

She is eager to get back on the ice for the last time this season before the Lady Flames travel to St. Louis to try to win the seventh national title since 2015 from March 13-17 at the Centene Community Ice Center.

"A title's a title." Keith said. "We have a really important opportunity to capitalize on any of the championships we can. This (WMCH final) is just a steppingstone toward nationals, but it's just as important as the next one."

By Ted Allen/Staff Writer; Video by Patrick Strawn/Club Sports Director of Video & Media

Liberty-Maryville-prayer-circle — Senior alternate captain and spiritual leader Yannick Truter led a post-game prayer circle that the entire Maryville team participated in.

Lady Flames set up WMCH championship rematch with Midland after surviving Saints, 2-1

Players Mentioned

Haley Battles

Brookelyn Beauchamp

Madison Glynn

Related Videos