SCHENECTADY, NY – Rhianna Kurio's last minute goal allowed the Dutchwomen to earn a point in conference play as Union and Princeton skated to a 1-1 tie at Messa Rink Saturday afternoon.
It is Union's first-ever tie against the Tigers in 19 meetings between the two opponents.
In the first period, the teams matched up evenly as the Dutchwomen and Tigers exchanged shots. Both teams also had the opportunity on the power play with the Dutchwomen getting the first opportunity on a tripping call by Corey Sterns. However, Union's three shots on net were blocked by netminder Kimberly Newell.
Towards the end of the first period, Princeton was able to go on the man-advantage with Ashley Johnston sent to the penalty box for interference. The Tigers were able to take advantage of the penalty with a point-blank shot by Kelly Cooke to give Princeton the lead in the first period.
Union as able to go on the power play on multiple occasions in the second period, including a 5-3 but the Dutchwomen's special teams was shut down by the Tigers defense. Princeton's attack gained momentum towards the end of the second period as Sterns and Sally Butler tested Union goaltender Shenae Lundberg. The sophomore netminder kept the score at 1-0 as she posted 14 saves through the first two periods.
The Dutchwomen found themselves in penalty trouble in the third period as Camille Corbin and Johnston were sent to the box in the first 10 minutes. However, the Dutchwomen penalty kill unit was able to keep the Tigers attack away and keep the deficit to one.
Towards the end of regulation, the Dutchwomen pulled Lundberg for the extra skater. A flurry of shots ensued from Christine Valente and Kurio. Valente's initial pairs of shots were blocked by Newell, which then trickled to Kurio. Initially, Kurio's first attempt was stopped but the second effort found the back of the net, as Union was able to get the equalizer with 35 seconds remaining in the match. The score remained at 1-1 as the teams entered into overtime.
In the overtime period, both teams buckled down defensively. Olivia Mucha rifled one towards net but could not find the mark, which was followed up by Brianna Leahy but was stopped by Lundberg. Maddy Norton tried to break the deadlock with a slap shot but the shot was off-target as the teams concluded the match with a 1-1 draw.
Lundberg and Newell were credited with the ties as the netminder records stand at 2-2-2 and 3-3-2 respectively. Newell posted 34 saves in the match while Lundberg stopped 26. Shots were in the Dutchwomen's favor with a 35-26 advantage. The Tigers prevented the Dutchwomen to score on the power play in four opportunities while Princeton's man-advantage went 1-4.
Union will have a week off before their next game, as the Dutchwomen will be back on the road to play Providence College on November 25. Princeton will be back at home, as the Tigers will host St. Lawrence and Clarkson on November 16 and 17.
