BOX SCORE
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - The Union College women's hockey team fell 3-0 to Dartmouth on Friday at Messa Rink, dropping to 4-23-4 overall and 2-15-2 in league play. After two and half scoreless periods, senior Jenna Hobeika earned the ECAC win for the Big Green (16-7-2, 12-5-2 ECAC) with a goal at the 10:56 mark in the final frame.
Minutes after a failed power play attempt, freshman Karlee Odland fed to Hobeika directly in front of netminder Shenae Lundberg. Amidst a pile up, the senior was able to stuff the puck between Lundberg's right foot and the post for her sixth goal of the season. It was Odland's third assist.
A rapid pace was set in the opening minutes of the contest, with Lundberg facing a quick backhand shot from junior Camille Dumais. The rookie goaltender was fully prepared for the Big Green, however, stopping 17 shots in the first period alone. She received aid from senior Kayleigh Melia, who flustered several Dartmouth forwards with her gritty style of defense.
The Dutchwomen produced their first shot half way through the frame when Rhianna Kurio dangled across Dartmouth's blue line. The junior flipped the puck over the heads of the opposing defensemen, finding freshman Bryanne Panchuk. Despite a well-timed deke to move to the front of the net, goaltender Lindsay Holdcroft was able to make the save.
With less than ten minutes left in the period, Dartmouth earned their first power play opportunity when Union was called for roughing. Sophomore Maddy Norton and senior Dania Simmonds stepped up for the Dutchwomen, blocking several shots to protect Lundberg. The netminder herself made a number of big saves, denying Hobeika and senior Erica Dobos on back-to-back shots.
Back at even strength, freshman Camille Corbin drove the puck back into Dartmouth's defensive zone, finding junior Jeannie Sabourin to the left of Holdcroft. The goaltender was able to hold tight to Sabourin's wrist shot to keep the game scoreless.
Union began to apply more pressure in the second period, with Panchuk battling Dartmouth's forwards for possession. Fellow freshman Christine Valente was a force, driving into the Big Green's zone with sophomore Stefanie Thomson in tow. Thomson constantly worked to keep the puck in Union's control, fighting along the boards and in the neutral zone.
Junior Nicole Bartlett emerged as a defensive presence, clearing the puck in front of Lundberg to avoid a scoring chance for the Big Green. The forward flew down the ice and fired a shot at Holdcroft at the 12:22 mark to give the Dutchwomen some energy. Freshman Alex Tancrell-Fontaine maintained the same tenacity, working hard in Union's corners and managing to return the puck to Dartmouth's zone, once again.
The Big Green returned to their offensive attack as junior Sasha Nanji gained possession. The defenseman sent a shot from the top of the slot at Lundberg, forcing her to make a quick save that produced a wide rebound. The puck immediately found Dobos, but Lundberg slid over to make another save on the forward.
Union and Dartmouth each found themselves on the power play midway through the frame, with neither squad being able to capitalize on the advantage.
Junior Mac Purvis gave the Dutchwomen a surge of energy with back-to-back shots in the closing minutes. Valente set up a brilliant play from deep inside Dartmouth's zone, feeding to Thomson at the right of Holdcroft. Thomson swiftly passed across to Lauren Hoffman, but the senior was denied by the netminder.
In the final seconds of the second frame, junior Lisa Berreman nearly put the Big Green on the board when the defenseman hit the right post of the net with a slap shot from the top of the slot. Nonetheless, both squads headed to their locker rooms with the score sitting at 0-0.
On their third penalty kill of the game, Hoffman and junior Emma Rambo were unshakeable in front of Dartmouth's forwards. Throwing off the Big Green's power play, the Dutchwomen were able to kill off the interference call.
At the 10:56 mark, Hobeika's goal gave Dartmouth a 1-0 lead. Thomson immediately attempted to turn the game around, propelling the puck into Union's offensive zone. The sophomore was able to establish a scoring opportunity, with Bartlett intercepting the puck with less than 10 minutes to go. The junior fired a shot that rebounded directly to Tancrell-Fontaine. Sending a slap shot from the blue line, the rookie was denied by Holdcroft.
Minutes later, Dartmouth scored again to extend their lead to 2-0. Hobeika forced her way through Union's defense to fire a commanding shot at Lundberg. The puck bounced off the post and behind the freshman to give Hobeika her second goal of the game.
With time winding down, the Dutchwomen continued to challenge Dartmouth with smart offensive plays. The line of Hoffman, Valente and Thomson resumed driving into the Big Green's defensive zone, but it was Lauren Cromartie that gave Union their best chance for a comeback. The senior carried the puck around several defenseman before taking back-to-back shots on Holdcraft. Despite an open net, Cromartie sent the puck barely wide on her final attempt.
Lundberg left the ice at the 1:15 mark to give the Dutchwomen an extra attacker. However, senior Moira Scanlon tallied Dartmouth's third and final goal with less than five seconds to play. Dobos and junior Berreman received assists.
Holdcroft made 11 saves, while Lundberg stopped 37 of 39 shots faced. The Dutchwomen blocked 21 shots, with Simmonds, Hoffman, and freshman Kelly McGrath anchoring Union's extremely physical, defensive efforts.
Union returns to Messa Rink tomorrow, February 11th, for another ECAC contest against Harvard University. Be sure to come out and support the 2012 Union Senior Class as the Dutchwomen celebrate Senior Night.
