HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College women's ice hockey team lost 3-2 to visiting Johnson & Wales University on Saturday afternoon at Lee Clement Arena in Henniker, New Hampshire in New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) action.
THE BASICS
Score: Johnson & Wales 3, New England College 2
Records: Pilgrims 5-14-0, 1-12-0 NEHC | Wildcats 5-13-1, 4-8-0 NEHC
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a scoreless first period, it took the Wildcats just 47 seconds of the second to get on the board as JWU freshman defender Anna Luecht (Glenview, Ill.) beat the Pilgrim defense for her second career goal, that assisted by sophomore forward Kylie O'Keefe (Foxborough, Mass.) to put Johnson & Wales up 1-0.
- The 'Grims would find the equalizer just 2:40 later as NEC rookie sensation Alexis Hornsby (Atkinson, N.H.), already a three-time NEHC Rookie of the Week recipient, scored her team-leading ninth goal of the season, that coming off a putback from a breakaway shot from sophomore forward Meadow Gilchrist (Stamford, Conn.). Just like that the game was knotted at 1-1 with 16:33 left in the second.
- Johnson & Wales would regain the lead at 9:42 into the second as freshman forward Sadie Davignon (Clinton, N.Y.) scored her first career goal, assisted by graduate forward Sara Cruise (Fairhaven, Mass.). The Wildcats would lead 2-1 going into the second intermission.
- JWU sophomore forward Zoe Tow (Brookline, Mass.) gave the Wildcats an insurance goal with 8:21 remaining in the game, her fourth goal of the season, assisted by O'Keefe.
- With three minutes left and time winding down, the 'Grims pulled the goalie and went all-out. Battling in a scrum in front of the net, NEC freshman forward Samantha Babbitt (Woodstock, Vt.) came through with her second career goal, assisted by Hornsby and Gilchrist. Just like that, the hosts were back in it.
- Still trailing by one with 79 seconds left, NEC again pulled the goalie, but despite a spattering of shots, they were unable to strike again, falling short 3-2.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- NEC sophomore goaltender Amy Donnelly (Taunton, Mass) tallied 28 saves between the pipes for the Pilgrims, including a perfect 12-for-12 in the first period.
- JWU junior goaltender Sofia Tamayo (Orland Park, Ill.) finished with 26 stops for the Wildcats.
- Shots on goal were 31-28 in favor of Johnson & Wales.
- The Pilgrims played their cleanest game of the season, as they were assessed no penalties for the first time since November 11, 2022, a 1-0 loss to Plymouth State.
UP NEXT
- NEC is back on the ice on Friday when they travel to Plymouth State University on Friday, January 26th for a must-win game against the host Panthers with the puck drop scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
- Johnson & Wales likewise plays their next game on Friday at 6:00 p.m. at the University of Southern Maine.
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