MINOT, ND – Stepping up a division for the first time against one of the premier teams in the country, the University of Mary hockey team suffered an 8-1 road loss at Minot State University in the first of a weekend home-and-home series between the Marauders and the Beavers.
 
A first-year program, UMary sits atop the ACHA Division II West Division rankings with 19 wins and a tie in 21 games against ranked opponents. The Marauders, though, didn't have an answer in their first meeting with the Beavers, who have made the ACHA Division I national championship semifinals in each of the last two years.  
 
A tight contest after the first period, the Beavers scored five times in the second period to build a 6-0 lead. Minot State added two more tallies in the third period before the Marauders got on the board when Zachery Garrett scored an unassisted goal with 3:08 remaining in the game.
 
UMary was outshot 43-14 in the game. Specialty units saw little action in the game. The Marauders didn't score in their lone power play opportunity while the Beavers converted on one of four chance.
 
The Marauders slip to 24-2-1. It is UMary's first loss to an in-state opponent and snaps an overall undefeated string of 10 games. The Beavers improve to 10-4-2.
 
The two teams conclude their two-game series at the Schwan Cadillac Arena at Starion Sports Complex in Mandan, ND. Game time is 7 pm.

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