MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - Charlotte Harris' (Ystrad Mynach, Wales) overtime goal lifted the Connecticut College women's ice hockey team to a season opening 3-2 win over Wesleyan University on Friday night in Middletown, Conn. With the win, Conn starts the year at 1-0 overall and 1-0 in NESCAC play, while Wesleyan falls to 0-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

Wesleyan (0-1, 0-1) started quickly, earning an early power play. On the ensuing power play, the Cardinals recorded three shots, but Conn (1-0, 1-0) goalie Devon Galizio (Wayland, Mass.) turned all three shots away. Claire Sammons (Naperville, Ill.) tallied the Camels first shot at 4:16, but her effort was stopped. Late in the period, Wesleyan opened the scoring at 18:05 on a goal by Aiko Sims. However, it did not take Conn long to respond. Just a minute later, Alana Burm (Hingham, Mass.) tied the game at one, as Kate Hagness (Madison, Conn.) picked up the assist, as the teams headed to the first intermission even at one.

The teams traded chances for the first 14 plus minutes in the second period with neither side able to break the deadlock. It was the Camels that found the go-ahead goal, as Casey Chesner (Great Falls, Va.) found the back of the net, off assists from Galen Kilfeather (Wyndmoor, Pa.) and Sydney Cresta (Swampscott, Mass.) at 14:46 to put Conn in front. The game stayed as is, and Conn led 2-1 heading to the third period.

Wesleyan came out in the third period looking for the equalizer, throwing everything at Galizio. The Cardinals finally found the tying goal midway through the frame on a goal from Beats Tura at 9:59 to tie the game at two. Both sides looked for a winning goal over the final 10 minutes, but the game remained tied and headed to overtime.

Wesleyan started the extra session on the front foot, as the Cardinals fired off three shots. However, midway through the frame, Harris worked down the far side and fired across goal, beating Rei Halloran to the far post to give Conn the 3-2 win and the extra point.

Wesleyan outshot Conn 40-24 on the evening, while winning 33 of 48 face-offs.

Galizio was fantastic in goal for Conn, making 38 saves on 40 shots to earn the win. Hagness led the way with two assists, while Burm, Chesner, and Harris each tallied a goal, with Cresta and Sammons adding one assist. Serena Seiple (Willmette, Ill.) and Casey Godfrey (Redondo Beach, Calif.) both recorded three shots on goal. Sammons led the way in the circle, winning seven of 20 draws, while Conn was 4-4 on the penalty kill and 0-1 on the power play.

Halloran picked up the loss, making 21 saves on 24 shots. Tura led Wesleyan with two points on one goal and one assist, while three other Cardinals added one point. Wesleyan finished the game going 1-1 on the penalty kill and 0-4 on the power play.

Conn wraps up the opening weekend series against Wesleyan tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. in Middletown, Conn.