ADRIAN, Mich. – The Adrian College women's ACHA Division 1 hockey team split a two-game Central Collegiate Women's Hockey Association (CCWHA) conference series against Miami University (Ohio) on Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31. The Bulldogs opened the weekend with a 4-1 road loss at Goggin Ice Center before bouncing back with a 4-3 victory at Arrington Ice Arena. Nadia Nickel led Adrian's offensive effort in Saturday's win with two goals, while goaltender Taylor Kinkade delivered a 40-save performance to help secure the victory.
Friday's contest saw Miami take an early 2-0 advantage with a pair of first-period goals. Adrian responded in the second period when Brenna Ward found the back of the net at the 6:25 mark, scoring an unassisted goal to cut the deficit to 2-1. Despite outshooting Miami 36-32, the Bulldogs were unable to find the equalizer as the RedHawks added a power-play goal and an empty-net tally in the third period to secure the 4-1 victory. Goaltender Pippa Holmes finished with 28 saves on 31 shots faced for Adrian.
The Bulldogs returned home Saturday and struck first when Annie Mallon scored with 47 seconds remaining in the opening period, assisted by Ward and Sydney Haggart. Miami evened the score early in the second period, but Nickel restored Adrian's lead at the 13:25 mark off assists from Haggart and Kennedy Murphy, giving the Bulldogs a 2-1 advantage heading into the final period.
Miami tied the contest at 2-2 just 2:28 into the third period before Mackenzie Parent answered at the 4:41 mark, scoring off an assist from Chase Clark to put Adrian back in front. Nickel extended the Bulldogs' lead to 4-2 at 15:52 with her second goal of the evening, assisted by Ward and Mallon. The RedHawks narrowed the deficit to one with 31 seconds remaining, but Adrian held on for the 4-3 victory. Kinkade was outstanding between the pipes, turning aside 40 of Miami's 43 shots. Nickel finished with two goals, while Mallon recorded a goal and an assist. Ward and Haggart each contributed two assists in the win, with Ward finishing the weekend with three points.
Up Next
Adrian will return to CCWHA conference action on Saturday, November 7, when the Bulldogs travel to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to face Indiana Tech at Parkview Ice House at 4:30 PM. The two teams will meet again on Sunday, November 8, at Arrington Ice Arena in Adrian, with puck drop scheduled for 4:00 PM.
