MANDAN, ND – Joe Gronholz and the specialty teams for the #11 University of Mary hockey team led the Marauders to a 3-1 home win over #18 Midland University. Gronholz found the net twice and the Marauders scored both a power play and shorthanded goal.
 
UMary improves to 21-10-0-0-0-1 (W-L-OTL-T-SOW-SOL) overall, 18-10-0-0-0-1 against ACHA MD1 teams and 5-5-0-0-0-0 in MCH play (4^th with 15 points). Additionally the Marauders are 12-8-0-0-0-0 when playing nationally ranked teams. Also a Midwest College Hockey member, Midland is 7-18-4-0-1-0 overall and owns 11 MCH points in nine games (7^th of 7 teams).
 
UMary can move into a tie for 3^rd place in the MCH should the University of Jamestown defeat Waldorf University on Friday night.   
 
The Marauders treated the visiting Warriors rudely, scoring just 24 seconds into the game. Parked in front of the net, Gronholz took a pass from Alex Senf, deked to the middle before stuffing a shot inside the right post for his 11^th goal of the year.
 
A little over four minutes later, Midland pulled even on a Jack Olson goal.
 
UMary took advantage of the first power play opportunity of the game to regain the lead. A give and go between David Loahr and Derek Dropik resulted in a breakout goal for the Marauders at 11:46. Skating in the neutral zone, Loahr slipped the puck to his right to Dropik just outside the blue line. Loahr turned on the jets and raced towards the net for a return pass from Dropik. A perfect pass from the Marauders captain sliced through the Warriors defense and onto Loahr's stick on the left side of the crease for an easy tap-in to send UMary into the first intermission leading 2-1.
 
Marauders specialty teams came up big in the second for the only goal of the period. While attempting to kill off the Warriors first power play of the game, Gronholz scored the Marauders ninth shorthanded goal of the season with just 27 seconds remaining in the second period.
 
Pressing hard at the Marauders defensive blue line, Gronholz stole the puck and found himself with a breakaway opportunity. Taking his time as he approached the Warriors net, Gronholz showed his forehand before drawing the puck back and stuffing a backhanded shot into the left side of the net for a 3-1 UMary lead.
 
Caleb Cross protected the UMary lead with seven saves in a scoreless third period. Cross finished the game with 28 saves. Liam Tereposky registered 36 saves for the Warriors, including 15 in the second and 11 in the third.
 
Gronholz finished the game with two goals. Loahr had a goal and an assist.
 
The Marauders have beaten the Warriors in all three meetings this season.
 
The weekend series wraps up with a 5 pm faceoff between the Marauders and the Warriors at the Starion Sports Complex Schwan Cadillac Rink in Mandan, ND. Following the game fans are invited to Skate with the Marauders. Fans are encouraged to bring their skates and join the Marauders on the ice for photos, autographs, prizes and more. A limited number of skates are available to use free on a first come first served basis.
 
MD1 Midland University 1 at MD1 University of Mary 3 - Status: Final
Friday, January 30, 2026 - Starion Sports Complex (ND)
 
MD1 Midland University 1 0 0 - 1
MD1 University of Mary 2 1 0 - 3
 
1st Period-1, MD1 University of Mary, Gronholz 11 (Senf, Sardelli), 0:24. 2, MD1 Midland University, Olson 1 (Wisely, Dube), 4:30. 3, MD1 University of Mary, Loahr 13 (Dropik), 11:46 (PP). Penalties-Milan M1mid (slashing), 10:26.
 
2nd Period-4, MD1 University of Mary, Gronholz 12 (Loahr), 19:33 (SH). Penalties-Wotton M1mid (slashing), 7:24; Mangan M1umy (interference), 18:10.
 
3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-Wisely M1mid (high sticking), 6:02.
 
Shots on Goal-MD1 Midland University 12-10-7-29. MD1 University of Mary 12-16-11-39.
Power Play Opportunities-MD1 Midland University 0 / 1; MD1 University of Mary 1 / 3.
Goalies-MD1 Midland University, Tereposky 6-11-2-0 (39 shots-36 saves). MD1 University of Mary, Cross 15-7-0-0 (29 shots-28 saves).
A-731
 
#marauders#