BOX SCORE
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Returning home to Messa Rink for the first time in three games, the Union College women's ice hockey team tied ECAC opponent Brown University 2-2 on Friday. The Dutchwomen did not trail once throughout the contest, despite being outshot 38-22. Union moves to 3-18-4 with a 1-10-2 mark in league play, while the Bears are now 5-7-7 and 2-6-4.
The Dutchwomen drew first blood on the power play when senior Emilie Arseneault was on the receiving end of a deflection from freshman Christine Valente. Brown was called for a tripping penalty at the 14:05 mark after outshooting Union 5-1 in the opening minutes. Freshman Kelly McGrath wasted no time taking a shot from the point, which found Valente waiting in front of Brown netminder Aubree Moore. With the rookie's smart positioning, the puck went directly to Arseneault who went top shelf from Moore's right 6:37 into the game.
Brown soon found themselves with a man-advantage after Union was called for a hooking minor. Senior Kate Gallagher was excellent in net, fending off a tough shot from junior Laurie Jolin as time expired on the penalty.
Arseneault and Valente continued to ramp up the energy for the Dutchwomen, showing a massive amount of hustle while moving the puck along the boards. This would spark Union to produce an offensive surge during their next power play at the 5:08 mark.
Junior Rhianna Kurio carried the puck into Brown's defense zone, firing a shot that was blocked by senior Paige Pyett. Immediately, senior Lauren Hoffman regained possession and blasted the puck towards Moore. The sophomore goaltender remained steady, however, even after freshman Bryanne Panchuk came rushing towards her on a breakaway. The Bears managed to kill the penalty, but ended the period down 1-0.
Action did not slow down in the second frame, as McGrath fired a slap shot from the left corner without delay after receiving the puck off of the face off. Jolin continued to create chances for the Bears, as well, dangling in past Union's defense to attempt a backhand on Gallagher. Sophomore Maddy Norton stepped up to block the shot and sent it wide.
Union again went to the box at the 11:28 mark. However, the Dutchwomen would be the squad to produce the most shots in the two-minute span. Hoffman charged down the left of the ice, ducking under a Brown defenseman to pass to senior Lauren Cromartie. Wide open and center, Cromartie barely missed the net with a shot just wide of the post.
Gallagher began to see a multitude of shots half way through the period. Pyett was blocked by Kurio before senior Jennifer Nedow tested the netminder with a commanding shot from the top of the slot. Senior Katelyn Landry and freshman Janice Yang worked extremely hard to keep the puck in Union's zone, which allowed Yang to send a quick shot towards Gallagher at the 7:35 mark. She was just able to scoot over and make a skate save.
The Bears would tie the game moments later when Jolin sent a shot into the post. The puck ricocheted across to the other side of the net, where freshman Sarah Robson was able to slap it in past Gallagher. Sophomore Jessica Hoyle was also credited with an assist.
Now tied at one a piece, both teams were sent to the penalty box in the final minutes of the period. The Dutchwomen had the worse disadvantage, spending 40 seconds on a 5-on-3. Union managed to kill off both minors and went to the locker room with the score still at 1-1.
Sophomore Stefanie Thomson nearly took the lead for the Dutchwomen just five minutes into the third frame, gaining the puck on an attempted clear from Brown. Moore was able to snub the forward despite an awkward bounce that came from Thomson's shot.
The Bears soon found themselves on the penalty kill again, losing senior Jacquie Pierri to a tripping call. Hoffman gained an opportune moment to Moore's left soon after, but she was tied up by a Brown defenseman.
Valente took advantage of the puck being deep into Brown's defensive zone, blasting a shot past the Bears' netminder at the 9:43 mark. The rookie tied the game 2-2 after receiving a feed from senior Dania Simmonds. Valente had two points during the match, moving her to 10 so far this season. Simmonds now has eight assists to lead the Dutchwomen, while Arseneault also received a point for an assist.
It was Union's turn to go on the penalty kill, this time with 5:55 remaining in regulation. Gallagher made a nearly impossible save on Nedow's shot, keeping the Dutchwomen in the lead by rolling over her back to snag the puck.
However, at the 2:07 mark Brown pulled Moore in favor of the extra attacker. Just ten seconds later, with bodies scattered around the net, Hoyle pulled away to Gallagher's left and sent a shot past her blocker to tie the game 2-2. Robson and Pierri were given assists.
With excellent defense by the Dutchwomen, the game was sent into overtime. Union's offense fired up as Panchuk quickly sent a shot towards Moore. Yang was there to protect her goaltender, sending the puck up the boards. Arseneault regained possession, flying down the ice on a breakaway. Moore made the save on the senior's backhand and the game stayed at two a piece.
With only two minutes left to play, Hoffman and Valente sent back-to-back shots at Moore. Soon after, Gallagher was tested with two shots from the Bears. Neither team let up, however, and time ran out as Norton and senior Chelsey Heinhuis each had shots blocked by Brown. Both squads left with an ECAC Hockey conference point as the game ended tied 2-2.
Gallagher stopped 36 of 38 shots, while Moore made 20 saves throughout the contest.
Union is back in action tomorrow, January 21st, for the 5th Annual Pink at the Rink Day against Yale University. Remember to wear pink to the 4 p.m. match! Admission to Saturday's Pink at the Rink game is FREE with Union ID and/or ANY donation made at the door. All donations will benefit the American Cancer Society. In addition to the raffle and chuck a puck contest for great prizes, this year's Pink at the Rink will feature a silent auction offering hockey gear including:
- Hockey Gloves
- Bauer Skates and Hockey Sticks
- Union Hockey Jerseys
-Hockey stick signed by 3-Time Olympian Julie Chu and other members of the US Women's Hockey Team
