BRUNSWICK, MAINE - The Williams College Ephs (0-1-0, 0-1-0 NESCAC) lost to the Bowdoin Polar Bears (1-0-0, 1-0-0 NESCAC) in the first game of the season.
Williams, right off the opening faceoff, played strategically. Defenseman
Quinn Dawson was quick to block an aggressive first shot by Bowdoin, which was followed by many impressive saves by
Amanda Lackmann.
First-year defenseman, Claire Murphy, started the game off strong and scored 15:57 into the game, giving the Ephs the early lead.
Claire Murphy was tripped by Kathryn Kester resulting in a penalty; Murphy came back, while her fellow teammates maintained good control of the puck. With assistance from
Delaney Szlezyngier and Leah Rubinshteyn, Murphy was able to score by deflection off the goal post into the net during the same play.
The Ephs took full offensive advantage during their power play. Murphy followed up her goal with another amazing scoring attempt, sniping the puck past several defensemen but was stopped by Bowdoin goalie Dani Marquez.
Williams Women's Ice Hockey Coach
Meghan Gillis stated after the game that it was "exciting to see Claire Murphy score her first college goal as a first-year, and then she followed that up with another great scoring chance."
Bowdoin gained momentum by tying the score 1-1 at 10:45 into the second. Williams put maximum pressure on the Polar Bears, attempting to clear the zone. But, Bowdoin's Peyton Mulhern gained possession of the puck shooting a messy shot and
Amanda Lackmann barely let the puck squeeze between her foot and the goal post.
Later,
Maddie Tix battled defender Ali Dougal all the way down the centerline attempting a shot on the goal, but missed high. Williams suffered a penalty but did not back down in their shorthanded defense.
On the power play, Bowdoin recovered the puck and Mulhern executed a clean slap shot past
Amanda Lackmann, turning the score in Bowdoin's favor for a 2-1 lead at 16:52 in the second period.
The Ephs turned up the heat and put strong pressure in the Bowdoin zone. Szlezyngier skillfully fired off a quick shot, attempting to bury it in the net towards the left side. It was very close to tying the game, but unfortunately it connected with the goal post and ricocheted in the other direction, turning over the puck.
The Eph defense did not relent and
Paige Galle broke up a Bowdoin offensive 2 on 1 attempt on goal.
This was followed by Lackmann's impressive quick covering of a dangerous loose shot in front of the net with 3 Bowdoin players attempting to knock it into the net. After the puck drop immediately following, she made a beautiful wrist save on Bowdoin's quick shot.
Lackmann had an impressive goaltending record on Friday, saving 24 shots. Coach Gillis remarked "
Amanda Lackmann played really well. In the first we gave up some really big scoring chances, and she just held us in there and allowed us to lead the first period leading one-nothing, so that was huge."
Murphy was tripped again, beginning another Williams power play. With the extra attacker
Christina Halloran was able to make an attempt with defenders surrounding her just missing wide.
Williams pulled Lackmann and Gia Massari ended the game with an empty net shot at 19:47 in the third.
Coach Gillis reflected on the game stating it was a "typical first game with lots of highs and lows" and that they are "just looking to find key moments of success and build on those for tomorrow"
