SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College women's hockey team skated to a 1-1 tie behind a 48-save performance by sophomore goaltender
Madeleine Dahl on Saturday afternoon at Messa Rink. The tie is the first for the Dutchwomen this season and moves their record to 7-12-1.
In only her second career start, Dahl led the Dutchwomen defense in once again shutting down one of the nation's top power plays including an extended 5-3 in the first period. She made a total of 18 saves on RIT's six power plays. Her impressive performance also included an astounding 26 saves in the first period.
The Dutchwomen opened up the scoring midway through the first period on their first power play. Junior defenseman
Alex Tancrell-Fontaine fired a shot from the point that was redirected by sophomore
Jessica Kaminsky past Tiger goaltender Ali Binnington and into the back of the net. Senior captain
Maddy Norton also picked up an assist after feeding Tancrell-Fontaine along the blue line.
Dahl and the Dutchwomen held the Tigers scoreless until midway through the third period when Marissa Maugeri received a feed she exited the penalty box after serving a two minute minor for interference. Maugeri broke through the Dutchwomen defense and deked the puck past a sprawling Dahl. The teams traded power play opportunities following the tying-goal but neither team could find the back of the net as the game went to overtime.
In overtime RIT was awarded a power play after senior forward
Mac Purvis received a penalty for checking. Dahl and the Dutchwomen defense killed the late penalty as the teams skated to the 1-1 draw.
The Dutchwomen defense helped Dahl all day, blocking 23 pucks through the four stanzas. Senior captain
Ashley Johnston led the way with five blocks, including multiple on the penalty kill.
Union was also victorious in the faceoff circle 35-30, with junior
Christine Valente leading the way with 13 wins.
The Dutchwomen get back to ECACH next weekend when they welcome Princeton and Quinnipiac to the confines of Messa Rink for matchups on Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (4 p.m.) respectively.
