HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College women's ice hockey team began the 2025 calendar year with a 4-2 win over visiting Anna Maria College on Friday evening at Lee Clement Arena in Henniker, New Hampshire.
THE BASICS
Score: Anna Maria College 2, New England College 4
Records: Pilgrims 1-11, 1-6 NEHC | AMCATS 2-7, 2-5 MASCAC
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The 'Grims, playing in their first game in three weeks after the holiday break, burst out of the gate as NEC junior forward Olivia Lindberg (Stockholm, Sweden) took a pass on a breakaway from junior forward Meadow Gilchrist (Stamford, Conn.) and finished for her second goal of the season just 3:32 into the first period to put the hosts up 1-0. For Lindberg and Gilchrist, NEC's leading scorers thus far this season, the goal and assists gave them six and nine points, respectively.
- With 7:15 to go in the second period, the AMCATS found the equalizer as Anna Maria freshman defender Jada Kosowan (Mono, Ont.) battled through a scrum in front of the Pilgrim net and scored her first career goal, knotting the score at one-all.
- The 'Grims would answer just 1:12 later, as NEC freshman forward Jamie Blondin (Oakville, Ontario) took a pass from sophomore forward Sofia Gualtieri (Montreal, Quebec) and scored her first career goal to regain the lead, 2-1.
- Then with 1:02 remaining in the second period, NEC junior defender Jordan Pond (Gardner, Mass.) capitalized on a power play opportunity as she scored her second goal of the season, with assists to Gilchrist and sophomore defender Mae Lafferty (South Boston, Mass.). Just like that the 'Grims had a 3-1 lead headed into the final period.
- With a five-on-three power play in the third, Gualtieri scored her first goal of the season, assisted by Blondin and NEC freshman forward Abbey Keyes (Dedham, Mass.), to give the Pilgrims a three-goal advantage.
- With 3:15 to go in the game, the AMCATS picked up a last gasp goal from Anna Maria senior forward Olympia Myers (Grimsby, Ont.), pulling the visitors to within two. It was Myers' first goal of the season. But it would not be enough as the Pilgrim defense held on in the closing moments.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- NEC freshman goaltender Kayden Lallier-Whissell (Stevensville, Ontario) picked up her first career win, tallying a career-high 33 saves between the pipes for the Pilgrims.
- Anna Maria sophomore goaltender Megan Tegethoff (Sioux Falls, S.D.) finished with 15 stops for the AMCATS.
- In addition to her goal, Lindberg went 17-and-8 on faceoffs while recording two blocked shots.
- Blondin, who earlier this season earned a New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) Rookie of the Week award, picked up her third and fourth points of the season.
- Ponds' goal proved to be the game-winner.
- The AMCATS had a 35-19 advantage in shots on goal. Faceoffs were 28-and-23 in favor of the Pilgrims.
UP NEXT
- NEC is back on the ice next Friday when they travel to Albertus Magnus College for an NEHC contest against the Falcons, that game scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
- Anna Maria plays their next game at home on Saturday against Salve Regina University, that game starting at 7:20 p.m.
