Box Score HENNIKER, NH – Cortney Reyes scores the OT winner with 8.6 left, as the New England College Women's Ice Hockey team powers past Plymouth State, 3-2 Saturday evening at Lee Clement Arena.
The Pilgrims are now 1-5-2 on the season, while the Panthers now move to 2-0-2.
SCORING
Period 1 4:05 PP | NEC Emily Lenzen (Kelly Cassandra)
Period 1 10:13 | PSU Georgia McLellan
Period 2 3:05 | PSU Zoe Killisch (Lauren McNeil)
Period 2 15:51 PP | NEC Katelyn Steven (AK Fuentes; Emily Lenzen)
OT 4:51.4 PP | NEC Cortney Reyes (Cassandra Kelly; Emily Lenzen)
HOW IT HAPPENED
New England College took an early lead with a powerplay goal from Emily Lenzen 4:05 into the game. But Plymouth State was able to battle their way back into the game with a goal from Georgia McLellan about halfway through the first period. The teams entered the locker rooms with the score tied 1-1, with the Panthers leading in shots 7-5.
PSU came out in the second period firing on all cylinders getting a quick goal 3:05 into the period from Zoe Killisch. The Panthers were having a solid defensive second period until later into the period when they awarded the Pilgrims with back-to-back powerplays. NEC was able to even the score at 2-2 with a powerplay goal from Katelyn Steven. Just before the end of the period, the Panthers were awarded a powerplay leaving the Pilgrims shorthanded going into the third period.
In the third period, the Panthers turned up the pressure firing shot after shot at the Grims goaltender Cianna Weir. But the Grims defense held strong, not allowing a goal in the third period. The third period was a physical one as there were a total of six penalties throughout the period. At the end of regulation, Plymouth State led the in shots 35-17.
Plymouth State had a good chance to end overtime early, starting with a 4 to 3 skater advantage. But, they were unable to capitalize on the opportunity. The teams went back and forth trading shots until NEC was awarded a powerplay opportunity with 14 seconds left in overtime. Off of the penalty, Grims Center Emily Lenzen was able to win the faceoff which led to the overtime winning goal from Cortney Reyes.
GOALTENDERS
The New England College goaltender Cianna Weir stopped 36 of the 38 shots she faced on the night. While the Plymouth State University goaltender Amelia Julian saved 18 of the 21 shots she faced.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Emily Lenzen led the Pilgrim's offense with a three-point night having a goal and adding two assists.
- Cassie Kelly supported the Pilgrim's offense having two assists on the night.
- Program's first win under first-year Head Coach Mackenzie Meegan '17.
- This is the first win over Plymouth State since, November 21, 2015, when coach Meegan scored the game-tying goal.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Pilgrims will return home on March 12th, as they host Castleton University at 7:00 pm.
