Amherst, MA - The Williams College Ephs (0-1-0, 0-1-0 NESCAC) fell to the Amherst College Mammoths (1-0-0, 1-0-0 NESCAC) in their season opener by a score of 3-0. It was a hard fought 1-0 game until the very end, when Coach Gillis elected to pull the goalie for an extra attacker to try to erase the deficit. Amherst was able to pot two empty netters to close the game.
By The Numbers
- The Mammoths recorded 53 shots on goal, more than doubling the Ephs' 21 shots on goal.
- Both teams struggled to find success on the power play: the Ephs were 0/4, while the Mammoths were 0/3.
- The Mammoths won the faceoff battle by a tally of 35-21.
Game Recap
- Charlotte Fetherson recorded the first shot of the game for the Ephs, early into the first period, having it blocked by the Mammoths' Emily Hohmann.
- About of a quarter of the way through the first period, the Ephs were able to fire off a flurry of shots in their offensive zone, but were not able to capitalize on the chances (5:45).
- With around four minutes to go in the first quarter, the Ephs went on their first power play of the season, due to a checking penalty on the Mammoths (16:12). The Mammoths penalty kill stepped up and prevented the Ephs from taking the lead.
- The second period began with two Amherst penalties that gave the Ephs a 5-on-3 power play opportunity (1:18). Despite the numbers advantage, they were unable to score.
- Soon after the Mammoths killed the Ephs' power play, they took the lead, courtesy of a goal by first-year forward Ayla Abban (3:32).
- A cross-checking penalty against the Ephs gave the Mammoths their first power play of the evening, but stellar goaltending from junior Erin Pye kept the Mammoths from growing their lead (8:46).
- The Mammoths soon found themselves on the power play again, but the Ephs' penalty kill unit stepped up, hallmarked by impressive defense by Celine Mayer and Pye in net (12:19).
- The Ephs' penalty troubles followed them into the third period. Midway through the period, they sent the Mammoths on a power play (7:55). Great defense from the Ephs held off the Mammoths, and the score remained at 1-0.
- As the game began to wind down, the Mammoths committed a tripping penalty, giving the Ephs a power play late in the period (15:19). However, the numbers disadvantage was not felt by the Mammoths and Abban, as she netted a shorthanded goal to take a 2-0 lead over the Ephs (17:09).
- After the goal, Eph head coach Megan Gillis called a timeout for the Ephs, and when the squad returned to the ice, they sported six skaters and no goaltender (17:19).
- The Mammoths ended the game with an empty net goal, securing a 3-0 victory in the season opener (19:48).
Following the game, coach Gillis stated, "I thought we played an amazing first period and came out strong. Amherst is a talented team and pushed back with a strong second period. Both teams had chances to score, but we saw an impressive goalie showdown tonight."
The Ephs will face the Mammoths away at Amherst once again tomorrow afternoon, with the game's start scheduled for 3:00 P.M.
