WILLIAMSTOWN, MA -- The women's hockey team played courageously
this evening in search for that much-needed first win of the
season, but a #4-ranked Amherst team (5-0-0) was too much for the
Ephs to contain, as they suffered their fifth loss of the year
(0-5-1) by a 4-2 count. The Jeffs speedy and evasive skating
prowess caught the Williams defense scrambling back into position,
forcing the Ephs to commit nine total penalties.
These penalties proved costly in the first period, as the Jeffs
were able to convert on 2 of their 4 power-play opportunities.
Junior forward Michelle McGann put in a one-timer in front of the
net at 8:05, off a strong feed from behind the net by sophomore
forward Courtney Hanlon. A second power-play goal came with just
:12 left in the period, courtesy of a slap-shot from the point by
first-year defenseman Stephanie Clegg, as Hanlon knocked home the
rebound for her second point of the game and her third goal of the
season.
"Nine penalties is a lot to overcome," recognized Ephs third-year
head coach Shannon Bryant. "Regardless, I like how our team
responded to most of these situations during this game. We fell
apart a little bit in a coupleof key moments and that was the
difference."
After a difficult first, the Ephs responded with breakaway goal
early in the second (2:25), netted by Tracey Ferriter, who put in a
rebound past Jeff goalie Krystyn Elek off a Hannah Systrom wrister.
But the team's hopes of creeping back into the game were thoroughly
shaken after consecutive even-strength Amherst goals, nearly within
a minute of each other. Senior forward and co-captain Lindsey
Harrington (11:50) and sophomore forward Brittney Evans (13:03)
found the net on 2-on-1 and 3-on-2 odd-man rushes respectively,
giving the Jeffs a three-goal lead.
Despite generating only 13 shots on goal, the Ephs were able to
score twice, their second goal delivered by none other than the
team's leading scorer Tracy Ferrtier, who scored her fifth goal of
the season (second of the game) at 5:01 into the third period on a
breakaway, top-shelf wrist shot. But once again, the team fell
short, unable to overcome the combined efforts of Amherst
netminders Krystyn Elek and Sinead Murphy, who split time for the
Jeffs in this game, each allowing one goal. Ephs goalie Sara
Plunkett made several brilliant saves in net to keep her team
close, but tonight the team's offense could not enough to keep
pace.
"We played 60 minutes of high-intensity hockey tonight," praised
Bryant, "and I think if we come out and play like this tomorrow
[against Conn. College] we have a solid chance. Amherst is a fast
team that's solid on the puck, and I'm happy with our effort. We
need to bring this same effort to the rink every game."
The team will battle the Camels of Connecticut College (1-3-1) who
were able to draw even with division powerhouse Middlebury this
evening. Face-off is at Chapin Ice Rink, 3pm.
For full box score, click here.
