Box Score Geneva, NY -- The Ephs (5-4/1-3 NESCAC) swept the two game series with a 2-1 win this afternoon against William Smith (6-7-1/4-4 NEHC). Williams gained momentum with a goal mid-way through the first period and followed up with the decisive goal in the third period to seal their win.
In the first few minutes of the game, the Ephs and the Herons battled at neutral ice for the puck skating back and forth trying to get into a position to score. The Herons had a chance with Mackenzie O'Neil charging down the left side, but
Erin Pye easily watched the puck into her pads. Alex George followed up with a rocket shot from the point that Pye smothered.
The Ephs got the puck into their end where they recoiled and worked the puck around. Jayelyn Keiver ripped a shot from the point.
Quinn Dawson jumped on the rebound opportunity with a slapshot from a 45-degree angle and put the puck behind Herons netminder Annie Hauser's left shoulder to make it 1-0 for the Ephs at 8:34.
"Getting back to basics, creating layers in front of the net, and taking away the goalie's eyes so we were able to get that rebound off the first shot was key", said Eph head coach
Meghan Gillis.
Williams kept up the offensive pressure.
Maddie Tix raced down the left wind working the puck into the circle and letting one rip on Hauser who managed to cover it up. On defense, Williams did a great job getting into the Herons passing lanes and blocking up their offensive chances.
At 18:13, Tix received a slashing penalty giving William Smith the first power play opportunity of the night. The Herons worked the puck past the blue line and worked the puck to Lauren Jackson dead-center at the top of the zone who took a slapshot and got the puck past Pye, tying up the game 1-1 at 18:49.
Starting off the second period, the Ephs played methodically, working the puck between Dawson and Galle at the top of the zone. Keiver and McCarthy managed to get pucks on net, but Hauser played conservatively covering up their attempts.
The Ephs found the five-on-four when Kayla Ketchabaw went to the box for cross checking. Williams took advantage of the open ice spreading out and making passes in the zone.
Robin Kitazono found an open lane taking a shot on net. The rebound dribbled out in front, but Hauser stifled the shot.
With just three minutes left, Tix broke away from her defender at neutral ice and charged into the slot. A William Smith skater took a poke check from the back side and was able to interrupt the shot. The Ephs regrouped and
Chloe Noxon took a shot that bounced off the post, hit the crossbar, and was called no goal.
Gillis mentioned the team's strong focus on their own play. "Focusing on us, our systems, and playing our way. We got a little too east-west and needed to get more north-south. Once we started doing that things started to go more our way."
There was not much open space in the first few minutes of the third period. The Ephs and the Herons battled along the boards and tied each other up on the offensive forays. Williams finally got a break at 8:26 to go up 2-1.
Leah Rubinshteyn took a shot from the top of the circle and
Claire Murphy kept knocking to poke the rebound in behind Hauser.
McCarthy charged in toward the net by herself just a few minutes later and ripped a riser trying to go over Hauser's shoulder, but Hauser managed to block up the open space.
William Smith pushed back hard trying to tie up the game. Mia LaPlante rushed into the zone and let the puck fly on Pye. She managed to recover her rebound and shoot again, but Pye steered it away with her stick.
At 19:12, Hauser went to the bench for an extra skater. William Smith had a chance off a faceoff, where Ketchabaw took a slapshot from the right circle, but the shot was gloved up by Pye.
On the night, the Ephs took 37 shots on net compared to the Herons' 29. In net,
Erin Pye stood strong, turning away 28 shots, while Annie Hauser made 35 saves.
The Ephs will have some time off before their next game in the new year. They will play Manhattanville College at home on Monday, January 2nd at 3pm in Lansing Chapman area.
"We will take a little break and recharge her before we come back and play a good Manhattanville team that will prepare us for huge away weekends at Wesleyan and Hamilton," said Gillis.
