Despite a few tough losses at the start of the season, the women’s hockey team defeated a strong Hamilton College squad in NESCAC play this past weekend.
The first game of the season against Trinity College was a hard-fought 2-1 loss. The second pair of games against Amherst College was the start of a series of away games that will last until mid-January. Despite a strong effort, Amherst defeated the Lady Cards 6-0 and 5-1. Although it was a loss, the second game against Amherst was more successful than the first. Sixteen minutes into the first half, Amanda Nickels ’08 sliced the Amherst lead in half by scoring off of Amherst’s Stacey Johnston. Nickels was assisted by a pass from Hannah Jackson ’09. But the offense was unable to provide any more help as the Lord Jeffs added three more goals to ice the victory.
This past Friday and Saturday, Wesleyan hit Hamilton College head-on in Clinton, N.Y. As the temperature dropped in northern New York, the women’s ice hockey team kept their spirits high because ice-cold is where the Lady Cards fly best. In the first game, the team started off the scoring with a goal from Jackson. Unfortunately, the team failed to score again until the 2nd period when once again Jackson stepped up to send the puck soaring into the net. She was assisted by co-captains Jenna Bonczewski ’06 and Emily Titterton ’06. The last Wesleyan goal of the day was scored by Adrienne Shea ’08, assisted by Nickels ’08 and Molly Adams ’07. Despite her diligent efforts and over 30 saves, Hilary Schrieber ’09 was unable to defend the goal from the rapid fire of Hamilton’s Tierney Boisvert and Zoe Baldwin. Hamilton College came out on top with an overall score of 7-3.
Back in action Saturday, the team sought revenge on the Continentals. In a game with a different tempo than the previous day, the Hamilton offense was stifled. The Hamilton women could not defend their home ice from the Cardinals as they were shut out for the first time in 15 straight games. Three minutes into the 2nd period, the Cardinals took advantage of a quick turnover in the neutral zone and scored on Hamilton’s goalie Caitlin Connelly. Emily Avener ’09 scored the lone goal of the game. Rookie goalie Rachel Stemerman ’09, who blocked every single shot thrown at her, led the Cardinals in the defensive zone. Although she was peppered with a total of 46 Hamilton-hit pucks, her quick goaltending abilities and keen eye did not let a single shot get past her. Stemerman’s save percentage is now over .900.
While still only early in the season, the freshmen have proved that they are ready to mix it up on the ice. As predicted earlier by the captains, there is a lot of fresh talent already showing and hopefully much more just waiting to reveal itself. The women’s hockey team continues its season today against Holy Cross. Last year’s season brought one victory and one loss against Holy Cross, a non-conference team. Hopefully the Lady Cards will be as victorious against the Crusaders as they were against the Continentals.
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