Box Score Williamstown, MA -- Two Trinity goals in the second period gave the Bantams 6-2-1 (2-1-0 NESCAC) a 2-0 win over the Ephs 7-3 (3-3 NESCAC).
Unlike last night's early goals from the Ephs, the first period remained scoreless. However, there were no shortages of offensive opportunities on either side.
After falling 3-2 to Williams last night the Bantams came out aggressively, but that didn't stop Meghan Halloran from finding an one-on-one early backhanded chance a few minutes into the first period. Again, she ripped another from the point, but goaltender Hannah LeClair made two impressive saves.
Trinity's offense was fired up, putting Chloe Heiting to the test. The Bantams fired shots at Heiting from the point, but the Ephs defense surrounded the shooters protecting their keeper.
Robin Kitazono chased down the puck at neutral ice and found a breakaway opportunity facing Leclair alone, but Leclair knocked away her attempt.
With 2:44 to go in the period, a Williams penalty for tripping gave the Bantams a skater advantage. Trinity kept up the pressure and tried to get traffic in front of Heiting, Heiting hung on making important stops and keeping the game tied 0-0 in the first period.
"I thought the game was very similar to yesterday's where there was a lot of back and forth two teams competing. We just looked to capitalize on our chances" said Head Coach Meghan Gillis.
Minutes into the second period, the Ephs received their first power play of the afternoon. Williams looked to organize with their highest scoring line knocking on Trinity's door. The Ephs created a scrum in front of the net, but couldn't convert their shots.
At 10:55, Trinity took the 1-0 lead. Trinity's Paige Kehoe maneuvered down the right wing and shot from the top of the circle. Heiting blocked the shot, but Stephanie Nevers was sitting on her doorstep ready to poke it in from the left side.
Gilis noted, "The team worked hard to create a lot of good scoring chances that we just didn't end up capitalizing on."
A hooking call gave Williams the opportunity to respond with numbers up. Paige Galle and Delaney Szlegyznier organized at the point and fired shots at the net, but no Ephs could find the rebound.
Williams battled to get pucks to the net late in the second period. Both Meghan Halloran and Maddie Tix had breakaway opportunities, eliminating their defenders with nifty stickwork and taking Leclair on one on one, but were denied.
Trinity's Martina Exnerova stole the puck at neutral ice and came down the right side to fire the puck cross ice and cashing in on her chance to put the Bantams up 2-0 at 18:24.
Five minutes into the third period, Halloran and Chiang connected at center ice to give Chiang an opening at the slot, but she hit the post and forcing LeClair to cover up the puck.
The Ephs kept up the energy on offense. Kelly McCarthy used her crafty stick skills to get a shot off at the top of the circle and Delaney Szlegyznier rocketed a shot, but LeClair remained up for the challenge.
With 2 minutes to go, the Ephs pulled Heiting to put in an extra skater. Williams got a two skater advantage, when Trinity had a tripping call. The Ephs even went on a 6-4 after a Trinity cross-checking penalty. Despite the several chances, the Ephs couldn't find the back of the net.
The Ephs had 39 shots compared to the Bantams 21. Heiting saved 19 shots. Opposite Chloe Heiting, Hannah Leclair saved 39 shots.
Williams will look to "reset and figure out to have those bounces go our way and get back to the basics and finish on those chances" going forward into their next games, says Gillis.
Williams' game against Manhattanville College on Tuesday January 11th was postponed. The Ephs will next play on January 14 when they host arch rival Amherst at 7pm in Lansing Chapman Rink.
