Written by Tyler Kuehl
 
BYRON CENTER, Mich. – The women's hockey hopped on US-131 heading just South of Grand Rapids for an important Central Collegiate Women's Hockey Association (CCWHA) showdown with the Saints from Aquinas College. The Panthers were looking to avenge their loss to Aquinas earlier this season, as the Saints shutout DU 3-0 back on Nov. 15.
 
The Panthers played one of their most complete games of the season. They defend their own zone well, and created the majority of the scoring chances in the game. Courtney Mulligan had arguably the best night of her career, scoring all four goals for the Panthers. Aquinas was able to keep the game close with a pair of goals in the third period, but DU was able to hold on for their third conference win of the season.
 
QUICK STATS
 
Final Score: Davenport 4 – Aquinas 3
Shots: DU 38 | AQ 30
Power Play: DU (0/2) | AQ (1/2)
Records: DU (6-14-1, 3-10) | AQ (6-17-1, 1-8-1)
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
 
Of the four goals Mulligan scored, Amanda Ballestero assisted on two of them to bump her into second in team scoring. Julia Gaynor earned her fourth win of the season, making 27 saves.
 
MULLING TO THE LEAD
 
Neither team seemed to get many too chances in the opening 20 minutes of the contest. However, the Panthers seemed to get more of the offensive zone time as the period wore on. This led to Olivia Rudberg finding Mulligan open in the slot, and DU's leadings-scorer fired a shot over the shoulder of Aquinas' Ally Kennedy for her 12^th goal of the season.
 
In period two, the Saint started with a power play, and had a couple of good chances. Yet, Gaynor was there for DU making a few big saves to keep her team out in front.
 
Later in the period, Davenport had an excellent forecheck in the Aquinas zone, with Morgan Pippin and Amanda Ballestero each getting good scoring chances. Mulligan would throw the puck into the slot where it was knocked down. While no one seemed to want the puck, Mulligan swooped in, grabbed it and fired it over the glove of Kennedy for her second of the game to put the Panthers up by two.
 
Just a few minutes later, the Saints Gabby Fournier went end-to-end and scored her fourth of the season to put Aquinas on the board.
 
Davenport would quickly answer. Just 13 seconds later, Mulligan would win an offensive zone faceoff back to Ballestero, who quickly took a shot on goal. Kennedy made the first save, but Mulligan quickly grabbed the rebound to complete the hat trick with 90 seconds left in the period.
 
HANGING ON
 
The Saints made things interesting in the third period, as a little over four minutes into the period, Alyssa Buzar scored her second of the season to shrink the lead to one.
 
However, Davenport would come right back with another goal from Mulligan. This time, Ballestero won a faceoff back to Mulligan, who fired a slap shot through traffic underneath the pad of Kennedy for her fourth of the game.
 
The Saints would continue to battle, though. Zoie Amatore took a penalty with around five minutes left in regulation. Morgan Kozar would fire a shot through Gaynor for only the Saints' fifth power play goal of the season to bring them within one again.
 
The Saints looked to find the equalizer, but a late penalty derailed their chances, and DU would earn the season split with the 4-3 victory.


 
The win puts DU in a tie with Robert Morris (Ill.) for fifth in the CCWHA standings, with the top-six teams making it to the conference tournament. They each have to play each other one more time, date and time, however is yet to be determined.
 
WHO'S NEXT?
 
The Panthers will travel down the campus of Penn State for a pair of games down in Happy Valley. Their first opponent will be the University of Rhode Island. The Rams are 5-12 this season, and are coming off being swept by UMass last weekend.
 
The Panthers and Rams have only met twice in their history, with DU winning back in the 2017-18 season, while Rhode Island picked up the win last season. The two teams will meet Friday the 14^th at Pegula Ice Arena, puck drop scheduled for 8:45 p.m.