Box Score MIDDLEBURY, VT — The Williams College women's hockey team (10-11-2) fell to NESCAC opponent Middlebury College (15-6-2) 2-0 tonight. Freshman Lizzie Sheline (Reynoldsburg, OH) scored the game-winning goal at 18:44 in the first period. The Ephs now hold a record of 7-6-2 in the NESCAC, while the Panthers hold a record of 10-4-1.
Middlebury came out strong in the first period, testing freshman goalie Marissa Anderson (East Falmouth, MA) early on. Williams received a penalty at 5:14, and then one at 5:38, giving the Panthers a five on three advantage. However Anderson stayed big in net to keep the score tied 0-0.
At 8:32 Williams went on the power play, but couldn't convert with the one-man advantage.
Middlebury continued to pressure Anderson, and with just under two minutes of play Sheline scored to give the Panthers the lead 1-0. Scoring her 6th goal of the season, Sheline was assisted by juniors Jessica Young (Mission Hills, KS) and Janka Hlinka (Stratford, CT).
With 11 seconds to go in the first frame, Anderson made back-to-back saves to keep it a one goal game going into the second period.
Williams and Middlebury were evenly matched throughout the second frame, with each time earning 7 shots on goal. The Ephs earned three penalty kills, coming at 7:24, 11:46, and 13:51.
Play continued to go up and down the ice at the beginning of the final period. Then at 8:21, the Panthers solidified their lead with a goal by freshman Abby Marmer (Dorset, VT) to go up 2-0. Junior Haley LaFontaine (Summit, NJ) and sophomore Jenna Marotta (Katy, TX) assisted Marmer on her first collegiate goal.
The Ephs had two power plays after Marmer's goal, but junior goalie Julia Neuburger (Fayetteville, NY) stayed tough between the posts, leading Middlebury towards a 2-0 victory over Williams.
Williams head coach Meghan Gillis reflected on the game, stating "We are looking to start the game tomorrow with the intensity and persistence we finished the game with."
Neuburger made a total of 23 saves to earn her 4th shut-out of the season, while Anderson made 36.
The Ephs will face off against Middlebury again tomorrow at Lansing Chapman Rink. The puck drops at 7pm.
