Box Score BRUNSWICK, ME —The Williams College women's hockey team (5-4-0) lost to NESCAC opponent Bowdoin College (7-1-2) tonight 3-0. Sophomore Marissa Fichter (Duxburry, MA) scored the game winning goal at 9:25 in the first period. The Ephs now have a record of 3-2-0 in the NESCAC, while the Bears improved their record to 2-0-1.
The Ephs came out testing Bowdoin goalie Kerri St. Denis'19 (Harpswell, ME) early on in the first period. Sophomores Claire Mancheski (Minnetonka, MN) and Olivia Stokes (Pittsburgh, PA), and senior Sara Lehman (Lexington, MA) all had shots within the first four minutes of play.
Bowdoin responded, testing Williams goalie Marissa Anderson (East Falmouth, MA) with consecutive shots from the slot at 5:20.
Continuing to pressure Williams, the Bears took the lead at 9:25, with a goal by Fichter, assisted by freshman Katie Leininger (Newton, PA).
With 8:15 to go in the first frame, the Ephs went on the power play but were unable to convert with the one-man advantage.
Bowdoin maintained their one goal lead for the remainder of the period.
The Ephs came out strong in the second frame, keeping the puck in the Bears' end for the first few minutes of play.
Bowdoin went on the power play at 4:02, but 45 seconds later received a penalty of their own, making it four on four hockey for just under two minutes.
Eight minutes into the frame, Williams senior Chelsey Stevenson (Tilbury, ONT) challenged St. Denis, firing a quick shot from the slot. St. Denis stayed tough between the pipes to maintain Bowdoin's one goal lead.
Then at 13:55, senior Jess Bowen (Rowlett, TX) scored an unassisted goal to make it 2-0 Bowdoin.
St. Denis helped Bowdoin maintain their lead for the rest of the period, making a total of 9 saves in the second frame.
The Bears solidified their lead against Williams at 8:21 in the final frame. Junior Julie Dachille (Venetia, PA) scored a short-handed goal to make it 3-0 Bowdoin.
With just over three minutes left in the game, Williams pulled Anderson to gain a one-man advantage over the Bears. However, St. Denis stayed big in net to earn her second shut-out of the season, making the final score 3-0 Bowdoin.
"Tomorrow we will focus on playing a more complete game. We had some great stretches and then some lapses," commented Williams head coach Meghan Gillis, "It was their third game of the new year and our first, so we want to be building off what we did well today in the game tomorrow."
Anderson made a total of 17 saves, while St. Denis made 24.
The Ephs face off against Bowdoin again tomorrow at Watson Arena. The puck drops at 3pm.
