WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS. -- Despite a hard fought game by the Ephs (7-4/3-4 NESCAC), a pair of Amherst (5-5/2-4 NESCAC) power play goals in the first period, a third in the second, and two more in the third, provided Amherst with a 5-0 win in their first matchup of the weekend.
The first penalty of the game went against Williams for hooking. The Mammoths took control of the puck and took a shot on Heiting at the slot, forcing her to cover up the puck. Off the faceoff, Amherst worked to get the puck in front of the net.
With a second to go on the power play at 13:42, Amherst's Stephanie Nomicos fired the puck at Heiting. The puck rebounded off her pads, and Anna Baxter connected with Kate Pohl who knocked it into the back of the net for the first goal of the night.
Less than a minute later, Amherst went numbers up again after a roughing call on Williams. This time, Williams had an offensive opportunity with
Meghan Halloran working the puck up the left wing and she tried to slide it in from the slot.
Amherst quickly followed up, scoring again at 15:41 on the power play. Right before Williams completed their penalty, the Mammoths repeated their first goal. Avery Flynn took a shot from the crease with traffic in front extending the lead, putting Williams down 2-0.
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Eph head coach Meghan Gilliis noted that penalties made the game a difficult one. "Overall we need to just stay out of the box and keep our feet moving to avoid taking penalties, it's been costing us the last few games."
Williams looked to "get pucks deep and force them to play the full length of the ice," added Gillis We had some good chances, but just couldn't get them in" said Gillis. After picking up their first power play of the game one minute into the second period, the Ephs Brynne Puppe rocketed a shot from the point, but the shot was saved.
Kelly McCarthy got the puck to the front of Amherst goalie Caitlin Walker and created a scramble in front of Walker. Williams players tried to jam it home, but were unable to find free space to knock the puck in.
Coming off their penalty kill, Amherst went up 3-0 at 3:33 into the period. Kate Pohl and Anna Baxter had a give and go allowing Baxter a shot at Heiting's backdoor.
Williams went numbers down again on an interference call, but the Ephs managed to kill the penalty and prevented Amherst from getting set up in the zone.
Amherst found another power play opportunity for a Williams roughing call midway through the period. Amherst set up in their offensive zone and fired wristers at Heiting, but Heiting smothered the puck when tested.
55 seconds into the third period, Amherst's Carley Daley gave Jayna Park a cross crease pass giving her an offensive opportunity. Park's shot hit off the crossbar and found its way into the back of the net boosting the Amherst lead to 4-0.
The Ephs tried to claw their way back into the game by putting pressure on Walker.
Delaney Szlezyngier fired in shots and
Robin Kitazono looked to get her rebounds, but Walker blocked all of their attempts.
At 10:01 Stephanie Nomicos whistled the puck from the top of the right circle. Carley Daley camped out at the backdoor and tipped the puck in giving Amherst 5-0 advantage.
Williams created chances on offense, but was unsuccessful converting and getting the pucks to bounce their way.
Maddie Tix tried a toe-drag to catch Walker off guard, but Walker held on.
Robin Kitazono received a cross crease pass and was at the far side post, but Walker stood strong.
Williams fired off 25 shots on net compared to Amherst's 31. In net,
Chloe Heiting turned away 26 shots, while Caitlin Walker saved 24.
Tomorrow the Ephs will try to "keep it simple, play our game, and pick up where we left off" on offense and play smarter in front of our net, blocking more shots and taking less penalties" Gillis stated.
Williams and Amherst will play again at 7:30 tomorrow night in Amherst's Orr Rink.
