Middletown, Conn. -- In the second matchup of the weekend against Wesleyan (8-1-1, 2-2-0 NESCAC) Williams (6-5-0, 2-4-0 NESCAC) scored 2 goals in the second and 3 more in the third giving them a 5-1 win over the Cardinals this afternoon.
Early into the first period Leah Rubinshteyn finds an opportunity right outside the crease. The puck bounced off of Wesleyan goalie Halloran's right skate, the Ephs barely missing. The puck was quickly recovered and Maddie Tix attempted to score coming around from the back of the net but her attempt was swallowed up by Rei Halloran forcing a subsequent face off.
Williams received the first power play of the game when Wesleyan took a penalty for tripping. The Ephs attempted to take advantage of their extra skater maintaining control of the puck and creating pressure in the offensive zone. Defenseman Quinn Dawson took a shot off the point that was deflected off of Halloran's pad. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful in creating scoring opportunities and Wesleyan killed off the power play.
The Ephs continued applying pressure in the Wesleyan offensive zone firing off shots and spending little time in their own zone throughout the first period. Paige Galle was able to take a shot missing wide, her teammates attempted to poke it in as it became loose in front of the net before Halloran finally covered it up.
Williams took a long shot from the blue line missing wide. Ellia Chiang recovered the puck first in a one on one opportunity against Halloran. She put the puck on her back hand looking to scoop it into the left side of the net but Halloran spread across the net, barely saving the puck from sliding into the goal between the post and her skate.
The Ephs started the second period off with a protocol violation penalty but they kept their composure in the defensive end as Wesleyan started off strong. Wesleyan attempted a shot from the point and Erin Pye gloved the puck out of mid air. Killing off the power play.
Williams came back with an offensive aggression working the puck back into the Wesleyan zone. The puck became loose in front of the net as Halloran missed covering it up leaving space for a Robin Kitazono opportunity to poke it in between the goal post and Halloran's skate, giving Williams a 1-0 lead 4:31 into the second period.
The Cardinals attempted to convert shots into goals looking to tie the game, firing at Pye but the Williams defense remained steady supporting their goaltender. Pye was able to swat a few attempts away and ultimately covered the puck inside the crease denying Wesleyan the opportunity to capitlize on a rebound.
Wesleyan took another penalty giving the Ephs an extra skater oand an opportunity to lengthen their lead. Williams aggressive passing created scoring opportunities via collected rebounds. Claire Murphy from the blue line found Delaney Szlezyngier who is able to out maneuver two Cardinal players and found an opening between Halloran's legs and put the puck in the net. Williams was now up 2-0 lead at 13:52 in the second period.
Szlezyngier took a late penalty in the second for tripping giving the Cardinals an opportunity to close the gap but the Ephs defense was strong carving out 2 close scoring opportunities for Williams shorthanded. Unfortunately the puck was met by Halloran and was scooped up both times, the Ephs skillfully killing off another Wesleyan power play.
Williams' Quinn Dawson took the first penalty of the third period for hooking. Wesleyan, looking to capitalize on their extra skater, skated the puck around the back of the net passing it inside the top of the right circle. They scored on a shot into the left corner pocket of the net barely passing Pye, tightening the score of the game to 2-1, 2:11 into the third.
The Ephs' Kelly McCarthy, shortly after received a penalty for hooking, leaving the Ephs shorthanded to defend against the Cardinals. This time Williams remained calm and were able to kill off the penalty blocking shot after shot by Wesleyan.
Williams' aggressive play resulted in a third penalty early in the third period from Delaney Szlezynger for tripping. The Ephs killed off this third consecutive penalty and gained control of the puck.
Williams came back with retaliation swiftly guiding the puck around the back of the net. Jaelyn Keiver received the puck just outside the crease, shooting it into the bottom right corner of the net, slipping past Halloran's glove to extend the Williams lead 3-1at 9:46 in the third.
The Cardinals received a penalty for roughing, giving Williams a power play allowing Ellia Chiang and Paige Galle two close back to back shots on goal. Both shots were blocked by Halloran. Wesleyan killed off the power play, but it was immediately followed by another penalty for interference creating another power play opportunity.
Delaney Szlezynger took full advantage of the additional Williams skater on the ice finding the puck and shooting from the inner left circle where it deflected off of Halloran's right pad, which she recovered and passed to her teammate who quickly passed it back to her throwing Halloran off balance long enough for Szlezynger to scoop the puck up over Halloran and score in the upper part of the net. The Ephs now led 4-1 at 14:49 in the third.
Coach Gillis said "this was a huge league win for us against a talented Wesleyan team that had not lost since opening weekend in November. I thought the team kept the foot on their gas pedal all day despite a lot of special teams play. I was really proud of how they played together as a group." about this Williams victory.
Carrying this momentum a few minutes later Williams is able to create themselves another scoring opportunity. Kelly McCarthy collected the puck at the blue line to keep it in the offensive zone when she saw an opportunity on goal. She shot it high right past Halloran, sealing Williams victory with 5-1 at 16:08.
Williams goaltender Erin Pye was on her toes and turned away 25 shots letting in 1, while Wesleyan netmminder Rei Halloran saved 24 shots and allowed 5 goals.
The Ephs go on the road again next week to face Hamilton College on January 13th at 7pm.
