HARTFORD, Conn. – Emma Peterson (Westwood, Mass.) scored her first career goal with two and a half minutes remaining to lift the visiting Connecticut College women's ice hockey team to a season opening 4-3 win over Trinity on Friday night from the Koeppel Center.
Trinity started fast, earning a power play just four minutes into the contest, while forcing three early saves from Devon Galizio (Wayland, Mass.). Casey Chesner (Great Falls, Va.) responded just past the six minute mark with Conn's first shot of the evening. With nine minutes left in the opening period, the Camels struck first. Alana Burm (Hingham, Mass.) connected with Chesner to make it 1-0. Just a minute and a half later, Conn doubled the advantage. With the Camels on the power play, Chesner returned the favor to Burm who fired home to make it 2-0 after one.
The teams traded opportunities through the opening part of the middle frame, but the Camels continued to lead 2-0. However, with eight and a half minutes left, Trinity got on the board thanks to a goal from Georgia Bussey. The game looked like it was going to be 2-1 heading to the third, but Serena Seiple (Wilmette, Ill.) scored with 11 seconds remaining, to put Conn in front 3-1 heading to the third.
The Bantams upped the pressure in the final period looking to cut the deficit, and did so just a minute into the frame, as Caroline Holm made it 3-2. Trinity continued to look for the tying goal, but Conn did well to keep them at bay. However, with five minutes remaining, the Bantams earned a power play and made no mistake as Holm evened the score with 4:08 left. The tie was short lived however, as Christine Oar (Scituate, Mass.) and Olivia Montembeault (Glencoe, Ill.) connected before finding Peterson who fired home to put the Camels back in front 4-3. Conn closed out the final two and a half minutes to earn the 4-3 win.
Conn outshot Trinity 28-26, while winning 27 of 52 draws.
Galizio picked up the win in goal, recording 24 saves. Burm and Chenser paced the Camels with two points, as both notched one goal and one assist. Peterson tallied the game winner, as Seiple chipped in a goal, with both Montembeault and Oar adding one assist. Conn finished 1-3 on the power play and 5-6 on the penalty kill.
Madeline Carter got the start for the Bantams, making 24 saves. Holm led Trinity with two goals, while four other Bantams recorded one point. Trinity finished 1-6 on the power play and 2-3 on the penalty kill.
Conn (1-0, 1-0 NESCAC) returns to Dayton Arena for the home opener tomorrow night against Trinity at 7:30 p.m.
