Clinton, NY – In the NESCAC quarterfinals, Williams (12-10/7-8 NESCAC) fought hard but couldn't climb back after the Hamilton goal early in the first period giving the Continentals (12-9/9-8 NESCAC) the 1-0 win.
Eph head coach
Meghan Gillis stated, "My heart breaks for all the seniors, a lot of them had great chances to score tonight.
Chloe Heiting played amazing and kept us in the game the whole time. It was a tough way to finish, but they really left it all out there."
The game started off even paced with the Ephs and the Continentals charging hard, skating back-and-forth to both zones and trying to get shots off.
The Continentals took the 1-0 lead at 6:38. Hamilton picked up a loose puck at neutral ice and sent a rink wide pass deep into their offensive zone. The Continentals swarmed the front of the net and Maura Holden circled behind the Ephs net and centered a puck to the slot. Their net front pressure paid off when Claire McGennis deflected the puck into the net.
Williams generated some offensive pressure with
Kelly McCarthy,
Delaney Szlezyngier, and
Quinn Dawson getting pucks on net. Bri Hill and
Robin Kitazono worked together and came close to a goal, with Hill ripping shots from the blue line and Kitazono camped out looking for a tip in. Hamilton goaltender Sidney Molnar proved to be a tough opponent blocking up their shots.
The Ephs were hungry to score coming into the second period.
Kelly McCarthy hustled to get the puck into the Continental zone and put some pressure on Molnar.
Maddie Tix also created an offensive opportunity charging up the right wing and looked for a two-on-one with
CC Wallin, but they got tied up in front of the net.
On defense, the Ephs played tough. Hamilton looked for opportunities off the fast break, but Williams played a strong net front game interrupting pucks coming toward net. When Nancy Loh raced in toward Heiting's right side.
Maddie Zack stepped up and deflected her shot away from the net.
Hamilton created lots of offensive chances, but Heiting stood on her head denying Continental shots one after another. The Continentals peppered Heiting with shots and looked for rebounds. Heiting wasn't fazed, staying calm amidst screens, bouncing pucks and Hamilton skaters charging at the net.
Gillis said, "She played amazing and kept us in the game the whole time. She is one of the best goalies in the league and does a great job that way."
Starting off the third period,
CC Wallin charged into the offensive zone and fired a shot off Molnar's left pad.
Christina Halloran jumped on the rebound in the slot, but shot wide.
The Ephs kept knocking and looked to get on the board.
Avery Dunn wristed a shot from the right circle, which Molnar covered.
Kelly McCarthy then found a point-blank opportunity after finding the puck from a faceoff, but Molnar shut her down.
With only a few minutes left, Williams was just looking to get pucks on net. The Ephs took shots from the point and worked the puck to the front of the net, but the Continentals made it difficult clearing the puck out of the zone any time they had the chance.
At 18:23, Heiting went to the bench and the Ephs put on an extra skater and hoped for a last minute goal to keep them in the game. The Ephs got the puck down into the offensive zone, but Hamilton cleared the puck away. Williams recovered the puck and centered passes in front of the net, but the Continentals blocked up all their close chances.
On the night, Williams and Hamilton's stats closely matched. The Ephs took 21 shots on net, while the Continentals had 25. Both goalies played strong games.
Chloe Heiting turned away 24 shots and Sidney Molnar made 21 saves.
Coach Gillis noted, "I'm so grateful for all the seniors and their families, everything they've done over the past four or five years. They have been a great group that we will miss a lot."
