Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Byron Center, Mich. College sports are crazy, and sometimes the scoreboard doesn't tell the whole story. Anyone who has followed Aquinas women's hockey in recent years knows how much work can go into a season without the record ever doing it justice. The 2026-27 campaign has brought a new coaching staff, a commitment to doing things the right way on and off the ice, and a priority on developing the entire roster. The wins may take time to follow, but the effort, belief and progress are becoming easier to see.

Friday: Purdue Northwest 3, Aquinas 2 (OT)

Aquinas came within a goal of a road victory Friday in Hammond, Ind., rallying to take a second-period lead before Purdue Northwest answered and won in overtime. Izzy Buckett made 44 saves to anchor a Saints effort that pushed the Lions beyond regulation. The teams combined for 91 shots on goal, with Aquinas generating 44. A scoreless opening period set the stage for a back-and-forth second.

Purdue Northwest struck first with 14:47 remaining in the middle period. Reyna Dominczak supplied the Saints' response, scoring off an assist from Paisleigh Upshaw with 8:35 left. The equalizer started a productive stretch for the Maroon and White. Just 1:55 later, Anna Sherman converted on the power play to give Aquinas a 2-1 lead.

Lucy Quaine assisted on Sherman's goal as the Saints turned the game in their favor. Aquinas held that advantage until the final seconds of the period. The Lions tied the score with 15 seconds remaining, sending the teams into the second intermission even at 2-2.

The Saints kept that late disappointment from carrying into the third. Buckett and the AQ defense held Purdue Northwest scoreless throughout the period, including a penalty kill after Carley Sedlar went to the box with 5:15 remaining. Aquinas also had a power-play opportunity in the third but could not find the go-ahead goal. Neither team broke through before the end of regulation.

Emma Durand scored her second goal of the night 47 seconds into overtime to give the Lions the victory. Purdue Northwest goaltender Evi Allerding finished with 42 saves against an Aquinas attack that kept her busy. The finish was frustrating, but the Saints left Hammond having answered an early deficit, produced a power-play goal and battled into overtime.

Saturday: Purdue Northwest 5, Aquinas 2

Aquinas returned to Southside Ice Arena on Saturday and gave the home crowd an early reason to cheer. Paige Ike scored with 10:03 remaining in the first period to put the Saints ahead 1-0. Dominczak assisted on the opening goal, picking up where she left off Friday. The Lions answered with an unassisted goal that tied the game with 5:07 left.

Purdue Northwest moved ahead on a power-play goal with 53 seconds remaining in the period. Aquinas faced another test in the second when penalties assessed 37 seconds apart created a two-player disadvantage. The Saints killed both penalties, keeping the Lions within reach. Buckett helped lead that effort on her way to a 43-save performance.

Purdue Northwest eventually extended its advantage to 3-1 with 2:10 remaining in the second. Dominczak made sure Aquinas had an answer before the break. She scored unassisted with 13 seconds left, cutting the deficit to one and giving the Saints a lift heading into the third.  Credit must be give to Paige Ike on the goal as she took the big hit opening the door for the Dominczak goal.

The gut punch for AQ came just 28 seconds into the final period, when the Lions interrupted that momentum. Aquinas received two power-play opportunities early in the third but could not turn either into the goal it needed. The Saints finished with 44 shots on goal for the second straight night. Lions goaltender Allie Attema made 42 saves to keep AQ from drawing closer.

With Aquinas pursuing a late comeback, Purdue Northwest scored into an empty net with 52 seconds remaining. The final margin followed a game that had been separated by one goal through two periods. For the Saints, the next step is turning timely responses and sustained shot production into the finishing touch needed to change those outcomes.

Aquinas finished the weekend 1-4-1 overall, while Purdue Northwest improved to 3-3-0.

Saints Snapshots

• Pushback has a place here. Friday's deficit became an Aquinas lead, and Saturday's two-goal hole became a one-goal game before the second intermission. The Saints supplied an answer on both nights.
• A presence in the crease. Buckett's 87-save weekend gave Aquinas a chance to compete deep into both games, highlighted by a scoreless third period Friday.
• Reyna rises to the moment. Dominczak helped bring AQ back Friday, set up Saturday's opening goal and scored again when the Saints needed a lift before the second intermission.
• Making the hard minutes count. Saturday's second-period penalty kill kept a one-goal deficit from growing during a two-player disadvantage — exactly the kind of battle Otte wants her team to embrace.
• Opportunity is knocking. With 44 shots on goal each night, the Saints gave themselves chances against both Lions goaltenders. Finishing more of those opportunities is the next piece of their development.

Coach's Comments

Head coach Tae Otte has a remarkable ability to find the positives and turn them into opportunities to help her team improve. After two hard-fought, well-played games ended in losses this weekend, it would be understandable for a coach to struggle to stay upbeat. But Otte's optimism remains steady, grounded in the effort she sees and her belief in what this team can become. That belief is taking hold throughout the roster, building confidence and a willingness to keep working — the foundation for progress that should become increasingly visible on the ice.

"Our team showed up ready to compete and battle this weekend," Otte said. "We stressed the importance of being tough to play against and winning battles, and the girls did just that. We're creating opportunities. Now we need to keep working on finishing those chances and finding the back of the net."

Up Next

The Saints will get back to work and prepare for a home-and-home series with Lawrence Tech. Friday's game begins at 5:30 p.m. in Southfield, with Saturday's matchup scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at Southside Ice Arena.

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It's a great day to be a Saint.