BRUNSWICK, ME – A strong second and third period from the Bowdoin Polar Bears sent the home team to the NESCAC semi-finals for the 4th consecutive year. Despite a strong start and solid performance in net from Chloe Billadeau (Chaska, MN), the Ephs fell short in a hard-fought NESCAC quarterfinal matchup.
It was an eventful first period in Watson Arena. The lopsided 16 to 6 shots on goal advantage for the Polar Bears would not reflect on the scoreboard at the end of the first 20 minutes of play, with the contest knotted up at 2. Bowdoin supplied the pressure, but Williams took advantage of every offensive opportunity and proved to be very efficient, scoring 2 goals on 6 shots.
The first of these offensive opportunities for the Ephs came on a man-up chance due to a Bowdoin penalty called at 13:07. Facing a wall of a penalty kill unit that has killed 88% of penalties this year, Eph senior captain Aimee Dennett (Highlands Ranch, CO) managed to break through at the 12:46 mark to give the Ephs a 1-0 edge. Dennett get off a quick shot and found the back of the net, surprising Bowdoin netminder Kayla Lessard. Dennett was unaided on the play.
Bowdoin would have a chance to even things up when they saw a powerplay chance of their own due to an Eph penalty at 9:48. Williams played aggressive despite being shorthanded, and kept the home team from setting up any sort of organized offense. However, the Polar Bears would receive a penalty shot at 8:13 when an Eph defender covered the puck up with her hands in front of the net.
On the unusual penalty shot chance, Kim Tess-Wanat was able to capitalize to knot up the contest. She lifted the backhand up over Billadeau's pad and under her blocker to equalize the score at 1.
It looked as if the Polar Bears would take this goal and run with it, as their penetrating offensive line kept Billadeau busy in between the pipes, but the Ephs would surprise Lessard once again at 16:29.
Cristina Bravi (Montreal, QC) skated down the right side on the 3-on-2. She pushed the puck towards the net, it popped out in front and Michaela Levine (Lititz, PA) put in past Lessard to regain the lead, 2-1. Dennett was also credited with an assist.
Once again, Bowdoin had an answer for the Eph goal. They registered their second goal of the evening on their second powerplay chance with 2:28 remaining in the frame. The Bowdoin offense worked the puck around the perimeter and got a shot off. Freshman Rachel Kennedy was waiting for the rebound and put in past Billadeau to record her 15th goal on the season. She was set up by teammates Chelsea MacNeil and Emily Tang.
The hectic action slowed down to open the middle frame, and the lone goal of the period would not come until the 11:39 mark. Bowdoin took their first lead of the night, thanks to a goal coming from Stephanie Ludy. Ludy, set up by Schuyler Nardelli and Kenzie Novak, took advantage of a loose puck in front of Billadeau, and found the back of the net to take a 3-2 lead.
It looked as if Bravi evened it up with 20 seconds remaining in the frame when she skated on a break away and sent the puck past Lessard, but the goal was waved off due to an Eph penalty.
Headed into the locker rooms, the Polar Bears still held a dominant shots on goal advantage, 28 to 12.
The Polar Bears would extend their lead and tack on a cushioning goal to open the final period. On the first shot of the third, Tess-Wanat capitalized and posted her second tally of the game to up her team's lead, 4-2. Madeline Lane recorded an assist on the play.
The Bowdoin offense would remain relentless and register their fifth goal of the evening with 5:55 remaining. Novak set up teammate Kayte Holtz to give the home team a comfortable 5-2 lead.
Williams refused to go away however, and cut the home team's lead to two with just under two minutes remaining in the contest. After pulling Billadeau, the Ephs took control of the puck and peppered Lessard with a flurry of shots. It looked as if Lessard had the puck covered up, but it popped loose and Gabby Vukasin (Princeton, NJ) converted on the rebound.
It would not be enough however, and Bowdoin would clinch the NESCAC quarterfinal, 5-3.
Both keepers had stellar performances in goal. Billadeau recorded 34 saves, while Lessard turned away 18 bids.
This afternoon's battle was the final collegiate performance for two Eph seniors, Aimee Dennett and Sam Weinstein. Head coach Meghan Gillis praised their leadership and performance throughout tonight's game and the season as a whole, stating, "Aimee and Sam did a great job of leading all day. Aimee really stepped up with the goal in the first, and Sam did a great job of developing offensive chances for us. Overall, I'm proud that the team came ready to play in the first period, and while it wasn't the result we wanted, we battled throughout and didn't let up, and I think our late third goal really shows that."
