ANGOLA, Ind. - In a season of firsts for the University of Dubuque women's hockey team, today Friday, November 3 will go down in the record books as the first ever win not only for the women's hockey team, but securing the first ever collegiate women's hockey victory in the state of Iowa. The Spartans were able to score in the first overtime period taking down the Trine University Thunder by a final score of 5-4. 

The game did not start well for the Spartans as they found themselves trailing 1-0 with only 44 seconds taken off the game clock. The Spartans were able to respond with Madilynn Schiile's first of two goals on the night nearly five minutes in to even the game at 1-1. With just over five minutes to go in the first period, the Spartans would get two penalty's leaving them in a 3 vs. 5 situation and the Thunder took full advantage scoring 26 seconds into the power play to take back the lead 2-1. 

In the near final minutes of the first period the Spartans had a power play advantage and Gracie Hall would net her first goal as a Spartan with nine seconds left in the period to even the score back at two goals apiece. 

The Spartans turned it up after the first intermission as Cassidy Becia netted her first goal as a Spartan to give them the lead for the first time in a game with 2:17 taken off the clock. The Spartans were not done yet in the period as the next time they were on the power play they took advantage yet again with a goal by Libby Plath at 9:16 into the second period to extend the Spartans margin to 4-2 through two periods of play. 

The third period would be scoreless for the Spartans, but the Thunder were able to produce goals 41 seconds into the period and just when the Spartans felt a win was there for the taking, the Thunder tied the game with only 18 seconds on the clock. 

After watching the Thunder score twice in the first and third periods in less than a minute, it would be the Spartans turn to flip the script as Schiile would score her second goal of the night a mere 17 seconds into the five minute overtime period to seal the first ever win for the Spartans women's hockey team. 

Head coach Madyson Moore was thrilled for her team after picking up the win. "It was an all out team effort on this win. Everyone on this team made the win tonight happen. Couldn't be more proud of the statement we made as a new program and making history in Iowa."

Throughout the game the Spartans saw assists from Olivia Hodges who was able to find goal scorers at will, grabbing three assists including one on the game-winner. Lauren Jeffery, Arwen Sims, Chloe Byma, and Sarah Parker all recorded an assist. 

The Spartans were successful on two of their three power play chances and were able to hold the Thunder to only one of six opportunities. Even with the win the Spartans managed 23 shots whereas the Thunder had 62, but all that matter was the quality of shots the Spartans were able to get. 

Savannah Wuitschick got her first collegiate win in goal for the Spartans after posting a 58 save night. 

The Spartans move to 1-1-0 on the short season and 1-0-0 in NCHA action. 

Up Next
The Spartans will face Trine again tomorrow Saturday, November 4 at 1:00 p.m. (CT) as they look to keep the momentum going.