MIDDLETOWN, CT—Two goals from sophomore Sam Weinstein in the first two periods lifted the Ephs to their 4th win of the season. After Wesleyan closed the gap to 2-1 in the third, two late goals lifted Williams to the 4-1 victory.
Williams took the lead early and never relinquished it, notching their first goal of the night 6:29 into the game. On a powerplay, the Ephs won a faceoff in the Wesleyan defensive zone. Freshman Ally Ensor received the puck in the right circle, then sent a pass back to Weinstein on the blue line. Weinstein rocketed a hard slapshot over the right shoulder of goalie Ashleigh Corvi to give Williams a 1-0 lead.
Both teams had 3 man-up opportunities in the opening frame, but great goaltending from Williams freshman Rachel Nguyen and Corvi denied the Ephs and Cardinals the additional scores. Nguyen and Corvi made several key saves, including three in quick succession by Corvi, to keep Williams' lead to one to end the first period.
The Ephs struck again for the second time about halfway through the middle period. Weinstein received a pass on the blue line and pulled around a Wesleyan defender for an open look at the net. The wrist shot was deflected by a Cardinal's stick over Corvi's gloveside for Weinstein's second tally of the afternoon.
Wesleyan kept the pressure on for the remainder of the period and had their best chance of the frame when Jaime Bonner carried the puck down the right side of the ice into Williams' defensive zone. Junior Sarah Herr forced a low-angle shot that was turned away by Nguyen to continue to hold the Cardinals scoreless.
The Cardinals had an opportunity to make it a one-goal game early in the third period. Bonner forced a turnover in her defensive zone, then carried the puck up the right wing for a 2-on-1. Bonner wristed a shot that was deflected by Nguyen, but senior Sena Ito missed the wide-open net on an attempt to redirect the rebound.
5 minutes later, however, the Cardinals were finally able to put one home to make the game a 2-1 contest. Junior M.J. Cardin carried the puck behind the net to the right post, then centered a pass to sophomore Kelsey Muller in the low slot, who sent home the redirect with 10:30 to play in the game.
A late goal from Nicolle Perry provided Williams with a 3-1 cushion. With 1:35 to play, Aimee Dennett picked up a turnover in the slot and sent a pass to Perry inside the left circle. Perry walked the puck into the slot and wristed a shot through traffic that deflected off a Wesleyan defender into the net.
A goal from senior Stephanie Berger with 17 seconds remaining finalized the score at 4-1 in favor of the Ephs. Receiving a pass from classmate Jacqueline Berglass, Berger carried the puck behind the goal and sent a wrist shot from the low circle that slipped past Corvi.
"We gave 60 minutes of hard work tonight. Everyone played with intensity and we got the job done," Williams coach Joey Lye remarked.
With their second win of the season over the Cardinals, Williams moves to 4-10 overall (3-7 NESCAC), while Wesleyan drops to 2-13-1 (0-10 NESCAC).
The Ephs take on Connecticut College next Friday, hosting the Camels at Lansing-Chapman Arena. Start time is 7 pm.
