HARTFORD, Conn. – The Connecticut College women's ice hockey team hung tough, but ultimately fell to host Trinity College 4-2 on Saturday night from Koeppel Community Sports Center. With the loss, Conn falls to 0-2 overall and 0-2 in NESCAC play, while Trinity improves to 2-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play.
It was a slow start for both teams, with the squads combining for just three shots in the opening five minutes. Trinity recorded two, with both being stopped by Devon Galizio (Wayland, Mass.), while Kate Hagness (Maddison, Conn.) had the first Conn shot, but was stopped. However, at 5:27 the Bantams were awarded a power play and wasted no time capitalizing. Jelani Adorno opened the scoring 14 seconds into the advantage with Marta Mazzocchi picking up the assist.
With just over seven minutes remaining in the opening period, Trinity was once again put on the woman-advantage. On the ensuing power play, Martina Exnerova found the back of the net at 14:21 to make it 2-0. Conn did not go away quietly, however, as just under two minutes later, the Camels got on the board. After excellent work on the forecheck, Christine Oar (Scituate, Mass.) was able to push the puck to Claire Sammons (Naperville, Ill.) who found Lily Stern (Nové Zamky, Slovakia) on the far side who fired home to make it 2-1 after one.
Conn got just the start they were looking for in the middle frame, tying the game 3:50 into the period. Ashley Engle (Basking Ridge, N.J.) found the equalizer, as Gillian Kibbey (Lawrenceville, N.J.) picked up the assist to make it 2-2. Trinity retook the lead at 9:10 of the period, Mazzocchi converted just after a Camels penalty ended to give the Bantams a 3-2 lead heading to the third period.
Trinity picked up an insurance marker early in the final quarter as Jenny Guider snuck a shot past Galizio at 5:12, to make it 4-2. With just over 10 minutes left in regulation, Conn was awarded a major power play, lasting five minutes. The Camels were able to generate a few chances on the woman-advantage but were unable to find the back of the net.
Trinity outshot Conn 27-15, while winning 36 of 57 face-offs.
Galizio made her first start of the season, finishing with 23 saves. Engle and Stern both recorded their first career goals, while Kibbey, Oar, and Sammons all added one assist. Kiley Smith (Humble, Texas) led the Camels with three shots on goal, while Engle led the way in the circle, winning nine of 19 draws. Conn finished the evening 2-4 on the penalty kill and 0-3 on the power play.
Madeline Carter got the win in net, stopping 13 of 15 shots. Two Bantams recorded two points, with Mazzocchi tallying a goal and an assist, while Annika Dyczkowski added two assists. Trinity finished 3-3 on the penalty kill and 2-4 on the power play.
Conn returns to action on Friday, continuing the early season road trip, as the Camels head to Amherst, Mass. to take on Amherst at 7:00 p.m.
