Williamstown, MA - - The Williams College Ephs (6-3-0, 0-2-0 NESCAC) faced off against the #12 Utica University Pioneers (10-4-0, 3-1-0 UCHC) in a 6-3 defeat.
By the Numbers
- The Ephs recorded 37 shots on goal, with the Pioneers had a narrow advantage with 39 shots on goal.
- Both teams found success on the power play, with the Pioneers going 2/3 and the Ephs going 2/5.
- The Ephs won the face off battle 41-23.
Game Recap
- The Pioneers opened the scoring with an early power play goal to take a 1-0 lead (3:24).
- As the first period arrived to its final minute, the Pioneers grew their lead to 2-0 after a stretch of quiet offense from both teams (19:04).
- The Ephs started the second period with increased offensive vigor, resulting in a series of consecutive shots on goal. About midway through the period they received a power play chance they were unable to capitalize on.
- Soon after, the Pioneers stole momentum when they went on a power play opportunity of their own and scored to grow their lead to 3-0 (16:53).
- In the final 90 seconds of the period, the Ephs scored their first goal of the game on the power play: Quinn Dawson had her shot blocked, and first-year forward Charlotte Fetherson collected the rebound and netted the puck to cut the Pioneers lead down to 3-1 (18:52).
- The Ephs opened the third period with three consecutive shots, but the Pioneers first chance of the period was successful, slipping one past Erin Pye to take a 4-1 lead (1:29).
- Three minutes later, the Ephs went on the power play, but the Pioneers' penalty kill unit showed out and the game remained at 4-1 (4:43).
- Despite not being able to capitalize on the power play, the Ephs scored thanks to a rebound goal by junior forward Jaelyn Keiver, narrowing the lead to 4-2 (7:40).
- The Pioneers quickly responded to Keiver's efforts with their own goal 32 seconds later, bringing the game to 5-2 (8:12).
- The Pioneers grew their lead with a goal four minutes later to bring the lead to 6-2 (12:23).
- Now it was the Ephs' turn for a quick response, with Sophia Hoppe scoring her first goal of the game to bring the game and final score to 6-3 (12:58).
After the game, Eph head coach Meghan Gillis commented, "I thought we played great hockey at points that will help us be a tough team to beat. I think a top ranked team like Utica exposed some holes we need to fix heading into a long stretch of league play."
The next match up for the Ephs will be against Wesleyan University at 7:00 PM this upcoming Friday, January 10th in Middletown, Conn.
