The Amherst women’s ice hockey team has looked strong throughout the first couple weeks of the season with a record to 3-0-1 in the NESCAC and 3-1-2 overall.
Adding to the NESCAC standings were two games against little-three rival, Wesleyan Univ. In their first match-up 3-2, the Jeffs garnished their 20th straight win over the Cardinals, who have not beaten the Jeffs since the 2003 season.
Emily Flom ’15 opened the scoring for the Jeffs when she sped down the right side and beat the Wesleyan goalie Laura Corcoran glove side with just 32 seconds left in the first period.In the second period, Tori Salmon ’15 and Eileen Harris ’16 added a goal a piece for the Jeffs. Salmon netted her goal at 3:29 into the second period to capitalize on Amherst’s two-player advantage. Harris buried a one-timer 11:48 into the second period off a Flom assist.
Wesleyan fought back, recording goals at the end of the second period and late in the third period. In the last minute and a half, Wesleyan put more pressure on the Jeffs after pulling Corcoran. But, thanks to Amherst net-protector Kerri Stuart ’14 and her 19 saves, the Jeffs came away with the win.
Completing their two game series, the Jeffs tied the Cardinals 0-0 in OT. This ended the 20-game win streak Amherst held over Wesleyan, but extended their unbeaten streak to 21. Amherst held a 42-23 edge in total shots with Corcoran of Wesleyan making 42 stops and Amherst goalie Yuma Evans ’17 making 23 saves in her first career start.
“Our weekend at Wesleyan was okay. Obviously we would have liked to come out with two wins, but I think it was great we were able to move on/not dwell on it and play so well [the following weekend],” said Hayley Opperman ‘14.
This past weekend included a 1-1 OT tie against No. 1 Plattsburgh and a 3-2 loss to No. 4 Elmira.
“Though we did not win either of the games, we tied one of the best teams in the nation and had a great game against Elmira,” Opperman said.
Against Plattsburgh, following a scoreless first period, Amherst gained a power play at the 6:22 mark in the second period. A Harris rebound yielded a shot from Opperman that went through the five-hole of Plattsburgh goalie Sydney Aveson, but it slid narrowly past the left post. Plattsburgh soon gained a power play, but they were unsuccessful against a strong penalty kill by the Jeffs.
The Jeffs finally broke through with another Flom to Harris one-timer combination that resulted in Plattsburgh’s first goal against this season, breaking a streak of over 500 minutes. In the third period, Plattsburgh pulled Aveson with 36 seconds remaining and Allison Era capitalized on this man-up situation, equalizing the game. The score remained a draw even after overtime. Stuart collected 32 saves for the Jeffs while counterpart Aveson had 19.
On Sunday, the Jeffs dropped their first game of the season to Elmira 2-3. Salmon generated a good scoring chance early on, but her shot ricocheted off the crossbar. But it was Elmira who then took to the offensive with Cassidy Delainey netting a one-timer past Stuart. At the 6:10 mark in the second period, Erin Martin ’16 equalized the game with a shot in the top corner. Later in the second period, Amherst was down to three skaters on a penalty-kill and Elmira capitalized on their man-up attack, moving ahead 2-1.
Amherst fought back and tied the game again with a Madeline Tank ’15 goal. But, Elmira struck right back, netting what would be the game winner a minute later. The Jeffs came close to tying it up for a third time, but a would-be equalizer was discounted as a result of the net moving off its moorings.
The Jeffs held a 29-15 shot advantage and went one for four on power-play opportunities,with Stuart making 12 saves.
The No. 9 Amherst women’s ice hockey team will return to action Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at Orr Rink where they take on No. 10 Manhattanville College.
The Jeffs have another big non-conference game on Sunday, Dec. 8 at No. 3 Norwich.
