Last Friday, the women’s ice hockey team defeated Conn. College 3-0 at Orr Rink in the quarterfinal game of the NESCAC Championship series.

The team improved to 20-4-1 (13-2-1 NESCAC) and moves on to the semifinal round of NESCACs, which will be hosted by Middlebury next weekend.

After a smattering of shots early in the game, it was Ellen Swiontkowski ’12 who broke the scoreless game in the second period. Helped by Emily Flom ’15 and Hayley Opperman ’14, Swiontkowski registered the team’s eventual game winner seven minutes into the frame.

Flom padded the team’s lead by beating Camel goalie Kelsie Fralick minutes later, with assists by Erin Babineau ’12 and Swiontkowski.

The Jeff defense proved itself once again, killing a couple of penalties to preserve the 2-0 score late in the game.

Senior tri-captain Emily Vitale sealed the deal with a wrist shot with only minutes left in regulation. Kaitlyn McInnis ’13 and Courtney Baranek ’14 assisted the play.

On her teammates’ performance, Vitale commented: “I was really impressed with the underclassmen and their ability to step-up and play big roles when we needed them to this weekend.”

Goalie Sinead Murphy ’12 made 13 saves on the day, improving to 12-2-1 and earning her fifth shutout of the season. Her .950 save percentage leads the NESCAC.

“It was great to see how defensively sound we played as a team,” junior tri-captain Geneva Lloyd commented. “Our forecheck was relentless, resulting in three hard-working goals.”

The Jeffs travel to Middlebury to face Bowdoin on Friday in the semifinal game, with the winners moving on to the championship game the next day.

“This weekend is going to be a lot of great hockey with some of the best teams in Division III hockey competing for the championship” Lloyd commented.

“In previous years, we have thought of Midd’s rink as a home-away-from-home, and I think the team has maintained that mentality this year as well,” Vitale added. “Bowdoin is a strong team, so we are looking forward to another hard-fought NESCAC game.”