GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The women's ACHA hockey team has bounded together this season and have now won four straight games after a pair of victories over Lawrence Tech on Friday and Saturday. Davenport scored a late third-period goal to secure a 4–3 victory over the Blue Devils on Friday night at Patterson Ice Center.
The Panthers opened the scoring midway through the first period when Kacie Stolarek netted her 16th goal of the season at 11:17, assisted by Morgan Osborn and Sydriha Retzlaff. Lawrence Tech answered just under four minutes later to even the contest at 1–1 after the opening frame. Beth Graham notched her second goal of the season from Sophia Buckberger.
The second period featured back-and-forth action as the Blue Devils took the lead on a power-play goal at 7:08 from Buckberger unassisted. Davenport quickly responded when Gabby Basha finished a setup from Charlee Tannahill at 8:53 to tie the game. LTU reclaimed the lead at 12:52 with Buckberger's second of the game and 17th of the season, but the Panthers pulled even once again in the closing seconds of the period. With just six seconds remaining, Tannahill scored her fifth goal of the season to make it 3–3 heading into the final intermission.
After a scoreless first half of the third period, DU delivered the decisive strike late. With 1:58 remaining, Retzlaff found the back of the net for the game-winner, assisted by Stolarek and Abby Hildebrand, giving the Panthers their fourth goal of the night.
Davenport outshot Lawrence Tech 28–22 for the game. Reilly Lind earned the win in net for the Panthers, stopping 19 shots, while Lawrence Tech goaltender Rachel Hart made 24 saves in the loss.
Davenport completed the weekend sweep of Lawrence Tech with a 5–2 win on Saturday night at Farmington Hills Ice Arena.
The Panthers jumped out early, striking just 2:41 into the opening period when Retzlaff scored her ninth goal of the season. Lawrence Tech briefly answered to tie the game at 1–1, but Davenport responded with a flurry of offense. Hildebrand put the Panthers back in front at 9:31 off assists from Tannahill and Ainsley Skinner, and just over two minutes later Mika Kulynych extended the lead to 3–1 with her second goal of the season, finishing a setup from Tannahill and Basha.
Davenport carried its momentum into the second period and added to the lead late in the frame. With 1:32 remaining, Stolarek netted her 17th goal of the season, assisted by Hildebrand and Skinner, giving the Panthers a 4–1 advantage heading into the final period.
Lawrence Tech pulled one back midway through the third on a goal by Kalina Pernod, but Davenport answered once again. Tannahill sealed the victory at 16:42 with her sixth goal of the season, finishing off a passing sequence from Hildebrand and Basha to make it 5–2. Neither team was successful on the power play as DU went 0-of-3 and the Blue Devils went 0-of-4. Avery Hall got the start in net for DU and picked up the win.
Next up for the Panthers will be one game this week occurring on Saturday, Jan. 17 at Patterson Ice Center against Wyoming beginning at 3:30 PM.
