Clinton, NY -- Two sets of back-to-back Williams goals in the second and third periods gave the Ephs (2-2/1-2 NESCAC) a 4-1 win in their first matchup of a two game series against Hamilton (4-1/2-1 NESCAC). The Ephs first away game was a well matched one, with Williams and Hamilton fighting for chances on offense all night, but Williams managed to convert on offense.
Both teams found themselves numbers up during the first period. Hamilton's power play came first. Mid-way through the period, Hamilton bounced the puck off the boards and found an opportunity to shoot, but Chloe Heiting made a save despite chaos in front of the net. Amidst the chaos, the Hamilton found themselves a powerplay opportunity for a Williams cross check. Despite attempts by the Hamilton offense, the Ephs high pressure defense was able to kill the power play.
A Hamilton hooking put the Ephs on the power play later in the first period. Though the Ephs controlled the puck for the power play, looking to move the puck at the point and looked for an opportunity, but wasn't able to get a shot off on the Continental defense who is 1-12 for the penalty kill.
Head Coach Meghan Gillis felt a momentum shift going into the second period. "We had a little bit of an adjustment period to start the first, but came out flying to start the second which set the tone for the remainder of the game."
Coming in hot in the second period, a pass from Ella Chiang gave Meghan Halloran open space at center ice. Controlling the puck on her stick, Halloran maneuvered around the defense and chucked it by Continental goalie Sidney Molnar for the first goal of the night.
It only took thirteen seconds for Williams to find the back of the net again. Delaney Schelengzer took the puck to the left side of the net and fed it to Maddie Tix, who snuck it under Molnar's pads putting the Ephs up 2-0.
Gillis found that these two goals gave the team "the confidence we needed" while playing the 10th ranked team in the country.
The Continentals responded to the Ephs goals keeping the game tight. After a faceoff in the Williams defensive end, Hamilton shot from the point. Heiting was able to make the save, but a loose puck in front of the net allowed a Hamilton tip in closing the Williams lead to 2-1.
Williams received power play chances at the beginning of the third period. With the Ephs first chance for a five on four, Paige Galle, Robin Kitazano, and Maddie Tix had chances. Williams' second power play chance in the period allowed Brynne Puppe and Meghan Halloran shots. However, Molnar proved to be a tough opponent, denying their shots to kill the power plays.
Chloe Heiting also showed her skills in the second and third periods. Even when a Hamilton player took her one on one, Heiting made an important save, allowing the Ephs to keep their lead. Gills noted, "If she doesn't keep those out we aren't in the position that we are."
With five minutes left in the game, Brynn Puppe's goal widened the Ephs lead to 3-1. After a feed from Kelly McCarthy, Puppe's riser shot deflected off Molnar's glove into the net.
Only 29 seconds after, Christina Halloran raced past the Continental defense bringing the puck into the Ephs offensive end. A shot from Kitazono rebounded off Molnar and Brianna Hill tapped it in securing the Ephs 4-1 win.
In total, the Ephs had 20 shots on net compared to the Continentals' 29. In the defensive zone, Williams goaltender Chloe Heiting saved 29 saves, and Hamilton goalie Sidney Molnar saved 16 shots.
Williams will play Hamilton again tomorrow night away at Hamilton's Russell Sage Rink at 3pm.
