GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Davenport ACHA D1 women's hockey opened its weekend series against Rhode Island with a 2-0 shutout Friday before building a two-goal lead Saturday, only to see the Rams rally for a 5-3 victory and a series split at Patterson Ice Center.

The Panthers opened the series with a strong defensive effort Friday, keeping Rhode Island off the scoreboard through all three periods. The breakthrough came in the third when Abby Hildebrand scored her first goal of the season on the power play at 11:18, with assists from Sydriha Retzlaff and Megan Boos. Retzlaff added her third goal of the season at 19:10, finding the empty net to seal the 2-0 win.

Avery Hall turned in a standout performance in net, stopping all 27 shots she faced to record the shutout. Davenport finished with a 39-27 advantage in shots on goal and converted one of its six power-play opportunities while killing all five of Rhode Island's power plays.

The Panthers carried their momentum into Saturday's rematch, getting off to a promising start with three goals in the first two periods before Rhode Island rallied for a 5-3 victory. Ainsley Skinner scored her second goal of the season at 11:13 of the first period, followed by Boos, who netted her third goal of the season just 31 seconds later at 11:44. Rhode Island answered late in the opening period, but Davenport maintained a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission.

Taryn Beamish scored her second goal of the season at 6:14 of the second period, extending Davenport's lead to 3-1 with an assist from Alyse Brown. The Panthers carried the two-goal advantage into the third period, but Rhode Island mounted a late rally with four unanswered goals to come away with the 5-3 victory.

Hall made 27 saves on 31 shots in Saturday's contest. Davenport finished with 27 shots on goal, while Rhode Island recorded 32. The Panthers went 0-for-1 on the power play and successfully killed off four of Rhode Island's five power-play opportunities.
Hall finished the weekend with 54 saves, recording a shutout Friday before making 27 stops Saturday. Davenport finished the series with five goals, including three in Saturday's contest.

Davenport returns to action Friday, Oct. 30, hosting Aquinas College at Patterson Ice Center in Grand Rapids, Mich., at 8:30 p.m. The Panthers will then travel to Byron Center for a rematch Saturday, Oct. 31, at 2 p.m. at Southside Ice Arena.