WILLIAMSTOWN, MA—Two early goals put the Ephs in a hole that they could not fight out of, as they fell 5-2 to Hamilton tonight. Juniors Kristen Tubbs and Hannah Systrom netted a goal apiece for Williams.
Hamilton struck for the first time early in the game, when sophomore Katie Zimmerman carried the puck out of the low left corner. Through traffic, Zimmerman slid a low shot that found the back of the net only 6:54 into play.
The Continentals' momentum would continue when sophomore Abby Runyon gave Hamilton the 2-0 lead less than 30 seconds later. Zimmerman and junior Meredith Bitterman worked the puck around behind then net, then found Runyon in the low left circle. Runyon wristed a shot on the ice that eluded Eph freshman goalie Rachel Nguyen for the score.
Nguyen would hold the Continentals to two goals in the first period, making 7 saves in the opening frame. On a highlight reel stop, a Hamilton defender crossed the puck from the blue line to a waiting Stephanie Miguel in the slot. Sliding across the crease, Nguyen blocked the redirect to prevent the score.
Hamilton kicked off the scoring early again in the second period, taking advantage of their first powerplay 1:34 into the frame. Zimmerman, in the low right corner, centered a pass to freshman Gigi Fraser in the slot. Fraser sent a hard pass to classmate Nikki Haskins on the left post, who tapped home the redirect for the 3-0 Continentals cushion.
The Ephs got their first goal of the game about halfway through the middle frame. Sophomore Nicolle Perry sent the puck from the low corner out to classmate Sam Weinstein on the blue line. Weinstein walked the puck in, then ripped a slapshot that was stopped by Hamilton goalie Becca Hazlett. Junior Kristen Tubbs picked up the rebound and tapped home the deflection for the five-hole score.
Williams' comeback continued early in the third period, when the Ephs were able to convert on another powerplay 2:49 into the final frame. Weinstein carried the puck across the blue line to the right side, rocketing a slapshot on net. Hazlett turned away the initial attempt, but junior captain Hannah Systrom, waiting on the left post, was able to get a stick on the rebound to make it a 3-2 game.
The Continentals would capitalize on a powerplay opportunity of their own shortly after to regain their 2-goal advantage. Hamilton worked the puck around high on the left side before Zimmerman wristed a shot that was stopped by Nguyen. Miguel picked up the loose puck and netted her first goal of the game, giving the Continentals a 4-2 lead.
The Ephs almost made it a 4-3 contest with 5 minutes left to play. On a 2-on-1, a Williams forward wristed a shot that was turned away by Hazlett. A sliding Weinstein almost knocked the loose puck home, but after the ensuing pile-up Hamilton was able to prevent the goal.
With 53 seconds remaining in the game, the Continentals capped off their scoring for the afternoon when Zimmerman netted her second goal. After a turnover in Hamilton's defensive zone, Zimmerman carried the puck the length of the ice on a breakaway. Zimmerman faked a shot that froze Nguyen, then sent a high wrister in for the score.
After the game, Williams coach Joey Lye said, "We had too many defensive zone breakdowns tonight. We didn't come out ready to play our game, and that definitely hurt us."
Lye noted that Weinstein and freshman Ally Ensor played particularly well on defense tonight, while Tubbs stood out on the powerplay. Nguyen had another solid game between the pipes for the Ephs, recording 23 saves.
Williams now stands at 4-11-1 (3-8-1 NESCAC), while Hamilton moves up to 9-10 overall (5-7 NESCAC). The Ephs take on defending NESCAC champions Amherst twice next weekend and will look to tie for the Little Three title.
