The women’s hockey team was feeling positive about their chances of victory this past weekend. With games against Conn. College and Amherst, teams they had previously beaten, the Cardinals felt they could cement their position for a home playoff game. Unfortunately, things did not go exactly as planned for the Cardinals this weekend, as they dropped two disappointing losses. Their record now stands at 9-13-0 overall (6-8-0 NESCAC).
“Because we had beaten both teams earlier in the year, we figured we had a good chance of winning both games,” said Emily Titterton ’06. “In both games, nothing went our way, especially against Conn. College when we out-shot them and basically controlled the entire game. We just couldn’t find the net.”
Finding the net was indeed difficult against a stout Camels’ defense. If the shot count were all that mattered in hockey, Wes would have blown this game out, outshooting the Camels 26-18. But alas, it is what goes in the net that counts. Already down 3-0, the Red Birds were able to avoid being shutout courtesy of an unassisted goal by leading scorer Anna Siliciano ’05. But mustering another goal was too much to ask as the game ended in unceremonious 3-1 defeat.Understandably, the team was disheartened after such a loss. This was something the Cards could not afford to do, as the next night they were off to battle the Little Three rival Amherst Lord Jeffs. But the previous night’s loss was something that was weighing on the minds of the players as the upcoming game approached.
“I was a little discouraged after the Conn. College game,” said Captain Natasha Clauson ’04. “It takes about a day or so to get over a tough loss. But, once that puck dropped and we started playing against Amherst, we were really fired up.”
That intensity was made evident by a goal scored by Frances Jacobus-Parker ’05 early in the first period. Not backing down, Amherst scored a goal, to tie, but then proceeded to grab the lead from the Cardinals in a matter of mere seconds. If that wasn’t unsettling enough, an important goal was called back, leaving the Cardinals wondering what they could possibly do next.
“Having the goal taken back hurt us not only on the scoreboard, but it also took away a lot of our momentum,” Titterton said.
Never one to be pessimistic, Clauson attempted to put the disallowed goal in a positive light.
“Even though the goal didn’t count, it still showed up that we could score again,” Clauson said. “But it was still quite upsetting.”
More upsetting still were the bevy of penalties taken by Wes and the inability to take advantage of quality scoring opportunities.
“The refs sucked,” Clauson said. “And we just couldn’t get the goals when we needed them.”
Wesleyan played themselves back into contention with two third period goals compliments of Andrea Snow ’04 and once again Anna Siliciano. With time as their greatest enemy, and still down 4-3, there was little the Cardinals could do but watch the fleeting seconds of the game melt off the clock.
Next weekend is absolutely critical for the team. Friday’s game against second-ranked NESCAC team, the Bowdoin Polar Bears, might prove to be too much of a challenge for Wes. This will make Saturday’s game against eighth ranked Colby all the more important. A win against Colby might give the team a crucial home playoff game.
“If we could get a home game, it would be a huge advantage for us,” said Liz Courtney ’04. “Playing at home against a lesser seeded team is extremely important if we are going to go on to the next round.”
Captain Clauson wishes for the entire Wesleyan community to come out for Saturday’s game and show their support for the team. Game time is at 3:00 pm.
“Come to the Colby game,” Clauson said. “I’m going to put on a show.”
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