FRISCO, TX - The American Collegiate Women’s Hockey Association hosts the 2019 National Tournament, with a best of three series featuring No. 1 Liberty University and No. 8 Midland University. The first game is set to take place at the Comerica Center on Wednesday, March 27 with a puck drop time of 7 pm. Game two will also be at the Comerica Center on Thursday, March 28 at 7 pm. If needed, a game three will be play on Friday, March 29 at the Comerica Center, 7 pm puck drop.

WARRIORS WORDS

Midland University, gearing up for the first National Tournament, finished off the regular season 20-16-3 after putting in 142 goals in their favor. Isabelle Uhl Chmiel leads the Warriors with 47 points (24g, 23a) in 39 games this season. With three short-handed goals and three game-winning goals, Uhl Chmiel also leads those categories. Ally Conybear, a second team 2018-19 All-American, racked up 44 points (14g, 30a) in 39 games. Mylie Ketterson, who leads the Warriors with eight power play goals, has a total of 40 points (22g, 18a). In net for Midland has been Mckenna Gehner who earned a 12-11-2 record during the season. With 1.94 goals allowed per game, Gehner has also got four shutouts in her 12 wins. Hailey Huff with a 5-4-1 record has made 191 saves in ten games while picking up a single shutout.

The Warriors, to earn a bid to the National Tournament, took down Colorado University in the WWCHL playoff championship game, 3-2 in overtime. Gehner stopped 18 of 20 shots in the title game, with Mackenzie Bertolas (2g, 1 GWG), and Tieryn Arens putting in Midland’s goals.

FLAMES REPORT

Liberty University, the reigning National Champions who earned back the No. 1 spot in the nation after sweeping Adrian to end the regular season, enters the National Tournament at 22-1-3. The Flames are led by their first ever Zoe Harris MVP winner Lauren McDonald with 40 points (13g, 27a). McDonald, who is a first team All-American for the 2018-19 season as well as a U.S. National University Team member, has racked up two power play goals, one short-handed goal, and one game-winner for Liberty. Alex Smibert has gathered 36 total points (24g, 12a) with three power play goals and four game-winners for the Flames in just 19 games. Danica Polson in her first year with Liberty earned a spot as a first team All-American with 34 points (18g, 16a). Polson also put in four goals on the powerplay, and three game-winning goals in 24 games. Nadia Rupoli, in 20 games, has a 18-0-2 record with two shutouts. Rupoli averages 1.83 goals against per game, with 431 total saves. Madeline Snook, 1-0, has made 17 saves for Liberty.

The last games for Liberty were against newly formed rival, Adrian College. They picked up an 8-2 win in their final time on the ice, with Rupoli stopping 52 shots on goal. Shelby Bradford (2g, 2a), Vanessa DeMerchant (1g, 1a), Shanon Fehr (2g), Polson (1g), and Smibert (2g, 1a) all had a hand in the eight Liberty goals.

PREVIOUS NATIONALS APPEARANCES

The Liberty Flames, since 2015 are 15-2 in National Tournament play. Going 3-0 in pool play in both the 2015 and 2016 Tournament, the Flames advanced to the semi-finals both years. Liberty took down Adrian College in the 2015 semis, and would later go on to defeat Miami University to win the National Title. In 2016 the Flames would lose to Miami, but in the semi-finals to depart early. C.J. Tipping would post seven points (3g, 4a) in the 2015 National Tournament, while in 2016 Tipping found two assists. McDonald would be a great help during pool play for Liberty in 2016, as she tallied four points (2g, 2a). The 2017 National Tournament rolled around with the new format of best-of-three series in order to move onto the semi-finals. The Flames would move forward after taking down Minnesota in two games. Seven flames players would find points in the first round; McDonald (1g, 1a), Smibert (3a), DeMerchant (1a), Tipping (1g, 1a), Dana Mcleod (1a), Rachael Gibson (1g, 2a) and Deena Birney (1g). Rupoli made 31 saves on 35 shots faced against the Gophers. En route to the championship game for the second time in two years, the Flames defeated Massachusetts 1-0. Miami was ready to greet the Flames in the championship game, but Miami got revenge from 2015 and took home the National title. Last season, Liberty would defeat Minnesota in two games much like the year before, but would meet with the Colorado Buffs in the semi-finals. Smibert led the Flames through the first round with four points (2g, 2a) in two games. With a 12-1 win over Colorado, the Flames would go on to also defeat Adrian College in the National Championship game with a 2-1 win. Smibert again would lead the way through the semi-final game with four points (1g, 3a), while DeMerchant (2g, 1a), Fehr (2g, 1a) and Birney (3a) also assisted. Bradford and Smibert had the two goals in the National Title game for Liberty to take home their second title in four years.