COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Minot State University women’s hockey club has dominated ACHA Division II Nationals pool play, but was caught up when faced with North Dakota State University women’s hockey club team for the seventh time this season for their semifinal game at the Chiller Easton in Columbus. The Lady Beavers defeated NDSU all six times, and added a seventh win on Saturday.

The Minot State women were victorious 3-1 in a game that came down to every goal.

In the first period, the Beavers killed off two penalties, one of which had two Beavers serving time in the box, with a scoreless first period.

At about five minutes into the second period, the Bison were able to get on the board first. At 12:09 in the second period, the Beavers were left shorthanded with one of their own serving time in the box. This didn’t stop Bryanna Bergeron, as she was able to make the puck find the net, with the assist by Mackenzie Balogh, to tie up the score.

With less than a minute left, the Beavers were called for a penalty and were forced to start the third period short handed. The score remained tied 1-1.

Only a few minutes into the third period, the Beavers were able to take the lead on the Bison. Beth Ann Goudy set up the shot for Balogh to make the goal.

Sami Jo Henry then took her turn with a shot and extended the Beavers lead to two.

With a 3-1 win over the Bison, the Minot State women’s hockey club advance to the ACHA Division II national championship game for the first time in school history.

Four Minot State Beavers were recognized Friday for the ACHA Division II regular season awards. Forward Balogh and goaltender Shelby Tornato were both named to the All American First Team. Vanessa Grimstad received recognition on the All American Second Team. Balogh was also named the Zoe Harris Player of the Year.

The Minot State Beavers will take on the Lakehead University Thunderwolves today at 1:15 p.m. (central time) at the OhioHealth Ice Haus in Columbus, Ohio.

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Beavers softball falls twice

despite Neubauer grand slam

EMPORIA, Kan. — Sophomore Skyla Neubauer went 4-for-6 and drove in five runs, but Minot State dropped a pair of games on the second day of the Emporia State St. Patrick’s Tournament. The Beavers lost to Pittsburg State 10-9 and then lost to the host Hornets 9-1 on Saturday.

Neubauer did all her damage in game one as she went 4-for-4 with a grand slam and five RBIs to pace the Beavers. Minot State fell behind 9-2 to the Gorillas before staging a furious comeback that fell a run short.

Montana Mesler of Emporia State limited the high-powered Beaver offense to just three hits in the 9-1 victory in the second game of the day.

Pittsburg State scored four runs in the top of the first inning, but the Beavers would counter with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning.

Lauren Cowden singled to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Isis Cabral. Tori Zimmermann delivered the Beavers first run of the game when she followed with a double that plated Cowden.

The Gorillas stretched the lead to 7-1 with a run in the second inning and two more runs in the top of the fourth inning.

Minot State, which dropped to 13-7 on the season, got a run back in the bottom of the fourth inning when Kyla Larson homered for the second time on the weekend.

Pittsburg State extended the lead to 9-2 with two runs in the top of the sixth inning, but the Beavers would answer in the bottom of the inning.

Amanda Izzo began the rally with a single and scored when Neubauer ripped a double to right to cut the lead to 9-3. Melissa Estrada followed with a single that brought home Neubauer and got the Beavers to within 9-4.

The Beavers final run of the sixth inning scored when Cowden reached on an error, which allowed Estrada to score to cut the lead to 9-5.

Pittsburg State would increase the lead to 10-5 in the top of the seventh, but the Beavers would not go away.

Minot State loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning and Neubauer delivered a grand slam to rightfield that trimmed the lead to 10-9. Pittsburg State reliever Bree Cornett was able to induce a ground out for the final out to nail down the win.

Zimmermann was 3-for-4 and drove in a run, while Larson and Izzo each had a pair of hits for the Beavers.

Minot State took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning against Emporia State when Ashley Hill singled in Cabral, but the Hornets would score nine unanswered runs to post the victory.

The Beavers will conclude tournament play today when they battle Missouri Southern State.

— Minot State athletics