Kari Gibb/MDN Minot State junior Olivia Opheim (4) scores the opening goal against top ranked Liberty University on the road in game one on Thursday.

LYNCHBURG, VA – The Minot State University (MSU) Beavers women’s hockey team fought hard against top ranked Liberty University in 2-3 overtime loss on Thursday, November 21.

With the loss, the sixth ranked Beavers drop to 10-4-2 on the season, while Liberty University improves to 10-1-0.

The Beavers opened up the scoring in the first period on a power play goal scored by Olivia Opheim scored at 10:17 into the period to make the score 1-0. Liberty knotted the game up at 1-1 on a goal scored by Samantha Peebles at 16:30 into the period.

MSU had the lone goal in the second period taking a 2-1 lead on a power play goal scored by

Paige Ackerman at 15:37 into the period. The Beaver’s goaltender, Haylie Biever held Liberty scoreless in the second period with 21 saves on 21 shots on goal.

Liberty University tied the game up at 2-2 late in the third period on a goal scored by Elisabeth Sarauer at 15:37 into the period. Liberty’s goaltender, Alexandra Keith, held the Beavers scoreless in the third period with ten saves on ten shots on goal.

Liberty University would go on to score the game winning goal at 37 seconds into the overtime period on Samantha Peebles’ second goal of the game.

Abby Pineau, Paige Kozak, Makenna Beard and Journey Miller were all credited with assists in the game.

Haylie Biever had a strong performance in goal for the Beavers tallying 64 saves on 67 shots on goal.

Following the game one overtime loss to Liberty University on Thursday, November 21, the Beavers will be back in action in game two and game three of the three-game series against Liberty.

Game two was also won by the hosts 5-2 late on Friday, November 22. Game three is scheduled for Saturday, November 23, at 6:30 pm.