MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - Sophomore Cecily Hetzel (Libertyville, Ill.) scored in double overtime to propel Connecticut College women's ice hockey to a dramatic 3-2 win over Wesleyan in the first round of the NESCAC Tournament.

The Camels defeated Wesleyan twice during the regular season, but Friday night's matchup in Middletown was the most pivotal with a berth to the conference quarterfinals on the line. The game was so evenly matched that it required two extra periods to decide a victor.

The Cardinals were 48 seconds away from securing a win in regulation, but a goal from senior Melissa Alexander (Bellingham, Mass.) tied the game and set up Hetzel's heroics in double overtime.

In the opening period, the Camels were active early and often. They peppered Cardinals' goaltender Rei Halloran with 14 shots on goal in the first. The visitors got on the scoreboard at 9:29 when Kiley Smith (Marion, Mass.) fired a slap shot from just inside the blue line. The shot was saved by Halloran, but the puck caromed directly back out to Smith who took another powerful slapper that clanged off the crossbar and into the back of the net.

Wesleyan (8-13-1) would answer back with just under three minutes remaining in the period after Sam Deleo created a two-on-one and dished it to teammate Effie Tournas, who made a move and put it past Camels' goalie Abby Wieczorek (Winnetka, Ill.) to tie the game at one.

Early on in the second period, the Cardinals would take the lead when Caroline Jenkins took a slap shot near the right face-off circle with several Camels and Cardinals players in front of the net. Because of the clutter, Wieczorek was screened and Jenkins' shot went in to make the score 2-1 in favor of the host team.

The one-goal advantage for Wesleyan would hold for the rest of the second period and the majority of the third, thanks in part to excellent defense and superb goaltending by both Halloran and Wieczorek. 

With only 1:11 remaining in regulation, Jenkins was assessed an interference penalty, which would set up the Camels for a last-minute possession . Additionally, Conn decided to pull Wieczorek to utilize the extra attacker, making it a six-on-four advantage in an attempt to tie the game.

In the Wesleyan zone, Alexander won the face-off back to Smith. With time winding down, Conn took several shots that were off the mark. But once again Smith fired a shot on net that was saved by Halloran. Alexander attempted a rebound shot but was denied by the Wesleyan goaltender. However, the puck caromed back to Alexander who back-handed it into the net for the equalizing goal with 48 seconds remaining on the clock.

The first overtime period did not yield a goal, although both teams had opportunities. Halloran made nine saves, while Wieczorek stopped six shots to send the game to another overtime frame.

Just over nine minutes into the second extra period, Hetzel created a turnover in the Wesleyan defensive zone.  With only one defender to beat, the sophomore lost her footing and had her shot blocked. Teammate Claire Sammons (Naperville, Ill.) was able to corral the puck and get a shot on net. Halloran stopped it but could not contain the loose puck. Getting to her feet, Hetzel was in the perfect position to take the game-winning shot, getting it past Halloran and giving her team the 4-3 victory.

The Camels outshot the Cardinals 45-25 and won the face-off battle, going 48-92 throughout the game.