Williamstown, MA - The Williams College Ephs (6-5-2, 4–3-1 NESCAC) fell to the #7 Hamilton College Continentals (10-3-1, 4-3-1 NESCAC) by a score of 3-2 in their second of consecutive matches against Hamilton.
By the Numbers
Both the Ephs and the Continentals were 1/4 on the power play.
The Continentals had 45 shots on goal, in comparison to the Ephs' 32.
Game Recap
With the game deadlocked at 2-2 with under 5 minutes remaining in the contest, both teams were eagerly vying for the go-ahead goal, attempting to avoid another overtime period. Unfortunately for the Ephs, it was again Claire McGennis who sealed the game for the Continentals, propelling them to a 3-2 victory.
The Continentals began the game with the lion's share of momentum, rattling off a number of shots on goal. Unfortunately for the Ephs, two consecutive penalties allowed the Continentals to build further upon their momentum and score the inaugural goal of the game on the power play (10:36). The Ephs responded with a power play goal of their own, credited to junior defenseman
Katie Armstrong.
The second period was quite uneventful for both squads—characterized by back and forth play, both sides received power play opportunities that they were unable to capitalize on.
The Continentals again found the back of the net early into the third period, taking the lead 4:43 in. They threatened to completely capture the momentum when they were afforded another power play, but the Ephs' penalty kill unit stepped up and snuffed out the chance. This seemed to turn the tide for the Ephs, and sophomore forward
Leah Rubinshteyn scored the equalizer soon after (9:13). The Ephs, with a chance to take the lead on the power play, were denied by the Hamilton defense, and the Continentals scored the game-winning goal a few moments after. Despite a power play opportunity in the last 90 seconds of the game, the Ephs' offense struggled to convert and ultimately fell to the Continentals.
After the game, Head Coach of the Ephs, Megan Gillis, remarked, "I thought our team learned a lot this weekend about what our team can do. We know what we need to do to be successful and we know what it looks like to play connected and relentless. We are excited for the challenge of 3 games this week."
Next up for the Ephs, they will face their neighbors from North Adams in the MCLA Trailblazers—puck drop is scheduled for 6PM on January 16th.
