The women’s ice hockey team opened its season by splitting a pair of away games this past weekend. Both games pitted the Cardinals against Little Three rival Williams.
The first game of the weekend was hosted by Williams on Friday, Nov. 15. The Cardinals knew they were in for a tough matchup, playing a talented NESCAC opponent in a hostile environment. However, they also knew the games were winnable: despite recent struggles, the Cardinals have defeated the Ephs at least once in each of the past three seasons.
The game was tight from the beginning, and with 1:38 left to play in the third and final period, the score remained tied at 2-2. However, forward Jessica Brennan ’17 seized an opportunity on a power play to score her first career goal, giving Wesleyan a 3-2 lead. Captain Cara Jankowski ’15 certainly appreciated the effort.
“Jess had a great weekend, including an amazing penalty shot goal that is highlight reel material,” Jankowski wrote in an email to the Argus. “She really stepped it up and played well and I look forward to seeing what else she accomplishes this season.”
In desperation, Williams pulled its goalkeeper in favor of an extra player out on the ice, looking to tie the game in the short time remaining. However, Captain Glenn Hartman-Mattson ’14 was able to slide the puck into Williams’ empty net to boost the Cardinals’ lead to 4-2.
The Ephs responded with a goal in the game’s last second, but were unable to equalize. Wesleyan finished the game with a 4-3 victory.
Laura Corcoran ’16 had a big day in goal. Her 33 saves were a large part of the reason why the Cardinals were able to win despite losing the shots on goal differential 36-22.
Jankowski noted the importance of starting off the season on the right skate.
“No doubt the win on Friday was a great way to start the season and prove that we can execute what we need to as a team,” Jankowski said. “It was definitely a big boost of confidence.”
Unfortunately the Cardinals were unable to secure a win in the second game, which was played last Saturday and was also hosted by Williams. Wesleyan squandered a strong start, collapsing late in the game and taking a loss.
Wesleyan had a 2-0 lead in the early parts of the third period on the strength of a penalty shot goal by Brennan in the second period and a third period goal by Abigail Rutt ’17. Rutt’s goal was assisted by Jankowski and Brennan. However, after Rutt’s goal, Wesleyan’s offense stalled and the Ephs were able to score, cutting down the Cardinal lead to 2-1. Captain Sydney Morgan ’14 identified that Williams goal as a turning point.
“In Saturday’s game, the third period proved to be our breaking point,” Morgan wrote in an email to the Argus. “After the first [Williams] goal went in, Williams gained the momentum and we weren’t able to swing it back in our favor.”
The Cardinals certainly weren’t able to regain that momentum, and the defense crumbled under constant pressure from the Williams front line. Before the third period ended, Williams scored six goals. The Cardinals took a humbling 6-2 defeat.
The Cardinals hope to improve on their effort next weekend against Amherst, who will take on the Cardinals at Wesleyan’s home opener. The Cardinals expect a challenge, but are not yet inclined to count themselves out.
“We need to be sharper and more refined than we were this weekend,” Morgan wrote. “This week we are definitely turning it up a notch to really get the team ready for the tough, but winnable games ahead.”