MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury College women’s hockey team picked up a win and a tie at home vs. NESCAC rival Connecticut this past weekend. The Panthers are 4-1-1, 3-0-1 in the league, and were ranked No. 3 in NCAA Division III entering last week.
On Friday, the Panthers earned a 3-2 win over the Camels (1-3, 0-3 NESCAC), with help from two power-play goals in six attempts and three successful penalty kills in as many tries.
Despite first-period Panther pressure, the Camels took the lead with 2:24 remaining in the period, when Stephanie Izzi poked in her own rebound.
The Panthers tied the game 1:47 into the second period when they converted on a power play. Maddie Winslow knocked in a rebound after a tip in front by Janka Hlinka.
The hosts used another power play to take the lead 7:27 into the period. Elizabeth Wulf scored from the right circle after taking a pass from Carly Watson.
Connecticut tied the game 12:17 into the third period, when Katlyn Paiva tapped in a rebound on a shot from Cassie Hunter.
Watson answered 49 seconds later, jumping on a loose puck in the high slot and blasting a shot into the upper corner of the net for the game-winner.
Panther goalie Marissa Dreher made 17 saves, while the Camels’ Katherine Chester stopped 30 shots.
On Saturday, the teams skated to a 1-1 tie, each team scoring in the second period.
Both goaltenders came up strong for their respective teams as Kiana Verplancke made 22 saves in her collegiate debut for the Panthers, and Chester turned away 31 shots for the Camels.
The opening period saw the Panthers with a 14-7 advantage in shots. A pair of those chances came on 2-on-1 rushes, with Chester denying first Kelly Sherman and later Allie Aiello.
Connecticut had its best scoring chance at 16:00, but defender Julia Wardwell blocked a one-timer out front.
In the second period, the Camels broke through on their initial shot of the period. Lily Connolly corralled a free puck in the right circle and whipped a shot under the crossbar at 4:23.
The Panthers countered at 6:28, when Sherman netted a rebound of a Katherine Jackson shot.