Williamstown, MA – The Ephs (9-7, 5-6 NESCAC) took a 2-0 lead into the third and ended up with a 3-2 overtime loss on their record. Conn. College (5-8-1, 4-6 NESCAC) scored 3 goals unanswered in the last 14 minutes plus overtime.
Right out of the gates, Conn. College sent in a flurry of shots, including one by Natalie Witkowski that Chloe Heiting got just enough of to watch it slide wide of the net. At 7:00, Brianna Hill pickpocketed a camel and got zone control. A scrum in front of the net was broken up by Kaaren Liston, but another opportunity came for Hill 52 seconds later. Circling in front of the net, her shot was saved by Camel goalie Abby Wieczorek.
Camile Phelan took a pass off a faceoff in Williams' offensive zone coast to coast, challenging Heiting, but the Eph backstop made an excellent glove save. Maddie Zack and Georgia Keough had a good defensive shift, leading to the Ephs claiming possession. Jill Parsons took advantage, taking a lead pass from Ellia Chiang to the back of the net at the 13:18 mark. Parsons was active, recording 3 shots on goal, the most of either side during the first.
The next line with Sophia Hoppe and Robin Kitazono continued the momentum 3 minutes later with Kitazono passing to Hoppe behind the net, flashing to the right side, and receiving a pass back from Hoppe. She found the right place at the right time, capitalizing on Wieczorek shifting over a hair too late. Kitazono scored her 7th goal of the season on the play, giving the Ephs a 2-0 lead after the first period.
34 seconds into the second, Maddie Tix put her skating skills on display, splitting two defenders and drawing Wieczorek out of the net to stop the rush. Her pass to CC Wallin was smothered, allowing the Camels to recover.
At the 5:53 mark, Casey Godfrey took a pass from Caroline O'Keefe behind the net and tried to power through Heiting, but she fought it off. Williams had back to back power play opportunities on two hooking penalties, but couldn't extend the lead. In fact, Williams only managed 10 shots in the second period, contrasted with 13 in the first. Fortunately, the Eph defensive front stalled out the Camels, asking Heiting to record just 3 saves in the period.
Conn. College turned up their aggressiveness in the third period, leading to shots by Phelan and Liston. Williams' Hill was able to block a third shot, regaining possession. At the 6:12 mark, Kelly Matthews forced Heiting to make a glove save on a puck rocketing towards the top shelf. Melanie Conca scored a goal off the ensuing faceoff – her shot deflected off of Heiting, off the post, and in. Camille Phelan was credited with the assist. Coach Meghan Gillis said the focus was on "taking it one shift at a time" after the Camels scored.
Paige Galle was called for interference soon after the goal, changing the mood in Lansing Chapman Rink. The lead was 1 and the Camels were threatening yet again. The penalty kill managed to hold off the offense, but Conn. College didn't let up. Casey Godfrey snagged a loose puck from the circle, turned toward Heiting and tied the game at 2. Coach Gillis said, "we were just letting them stay in the game, and they had nothing to lose at that point".
Both teams exchanged scoring chances at the end of regulation, but this game was destined to go to overtime. The Camels completed their comeback after 1:13 of extra time, where Riley Griffith used a screen from Melanie Conca to find the left side of the net.
Abby Wieczorek recorded 33 saves for a save percentage of 94.3% en route to the victory.
Chloe Heiting of Williams saved 16 shots for a save percentage of 84.2%.
The Ephs play Conn. College again tomorrow, January 31st, at 7:15 PM at Lansing Chapman Rink. Coach Gillis said "we need to play a full 60 minutes" to win, as was evident today.
