Box Score WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – The Williams College Women's hockey team (5-5-0) defeated conference foe Trinity College (6-3-1) this afternoon in a thrilling battle 1-0. Sophomore Chelsey Stevenson (Toronto, Ont.) scored the game winning goal at 12:05 in the first period, earning her third goal of the season. The Ephs held off the Bantams for the remainder of the game, with freshman goalie Christina Cleroux (New Glascow, N.S.) earning her first collegiate shut-out, making a total of 26 saves.
The Ephs came out firing in the first, out-shooting the Bantams 13 to 5. Both senior Gwen Schultz (Wallingford, Conn) and junior Michaela Levine (Lititz, Pa.) tested Trinity goalie Sydney Belinskas (Port Orange, Fla.) early on with wrist shots on net. At 9:39, Williams received a penalty but played solid defense to fend off the Bantams.
Gaining momentum from the penalty kill, Williams' forwards took charge with Stevenson scoring at 12:05 assisted by sophomore Sara Lehman (Lexington, Mass) and junior Natalie Bernstein (Kenilworth, Ill). Stevenson one-timed the puck into the back of the net off a rebound.
"I thought we did a great job working as a unit of 5 in the offensize zone, and a unit of 6 in the defensive zone," commented Head coach Meghan Gillis.
The Ephs stayed on offense for the rest of the period and maintained their one goal lead into the second stanza, with Williams earning another two penalty kills in the second. The Bantams tested Cleroux more in this period with 12 shots, but the freshman stayed big in net to hold off Trinity's offense.
The third period was riddled with penalties, as both teams increased their physical play. Williams stayed tough one-man down, earning one full penalty kill. At 11:66, Cleroux made a great glove save off a Trinity slap-shot to keep the Ephs in the lead. With 3 minutes to go in the game, Trinity and Williams received two penalties each and played 4 on 4 hockey for the remainder of the game. Cleroux deflected several shots into the corners, where Williams defense fought hard to win the puck off Trinity.
Trinity pulled their goalie in a last ditch effort to tie up the game, but were unable to capitalize on the 5 on 4 play. Williams defeated Trinity 1-0 after losing to the Bantams Friday night 6-3.
"We had a lot more traffic in front of the net tonight, and executed smart simple plays," reflected Gillis, "I hope the team can come together like they did tonight more and more consistently, and I'm looking forward to this next NESCAC stretch."
The Ephs are now 2-2-0 for in-conference play, and will face off against Hamilton at home on January 16. The puck drops at 7pm.
