PITTSTON, Pa. – The Hood College women's ice hockey team defeated Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth opponent King's College 4-0 on the road, thanks in part to a dominant performance from
Mia Cheesebrough (Mendota Heights, Mn./Two Rivers/St. Paul Riveters).
Inside the Box Score
Cheesebrough had a hand in every goal, scoring the first and last goal and assisting on the other two.
Ella Bynan (Park City, Ut./Team Colorado U19) and
Sofie Ancona (Grosse Point Farms, Mi./Saint Clair Shores Saints) both scored a goal, with Ancona also credited with an assist.
Maggie Grijalva (Fullerton, Ca./Anaheim Lady Ducks AAA) posted a 14-save shutout.
How it Happened
Although King's got the first shot on goal of the game less than 30 seconds in, Hood responded a couple minutes later with enough pressure to draw a power play just 3:08 into the game. Then, less than 30 seconds into the power play, Cheesebrough sent a shot from the point that found the back of the net to give the Blazers an early 1-0 lead. Both teams got good offensive rushes afterwards, with the Monarchs getting a power play of their own, but Grijalva stood tall in net and stopped each shot she faced to maintain the one-goal lead into the first intermission.
In a similar fashion to the first period, Hood would go on the power play once again just a few minutes in, and again the Blazers would score on it, with an Ancona shot giving Bynan a perfect rebound in front of a wide-open net to double their lead just over four minutes in. Hood would not let up there though, as late in the period Ancona and Cheesebrough would each add another goal to the team's total just 24 seconds apart to keep the momentum securely on the visitors' side heading into the final frame.
King's came out with tenacity in the third period, spending nearly all of the first four minutes in the Blazers' zone. Grijalva and the rest of the defense allowed nothing past them though, and after a final power play for the Monarchs came up empty, they would not get another shot through on goal for the remainder of the game, and Hood would pick up its first shutout of the season.
For the Opponent
Hayley Packer made 40 saves in the loss.
Analysis
The Blazers outshot the Monarchs 44-14.
Hood went 2-5 on its power play opportunities, while King's could not convert on its three chances.
The Blazers had a 29-27 edge in faceoffs.
Up Next
Hood wraps up the weekend series with the Monarchs on the road in Pittston, Pennsylvania Sunday, December 7 at 1:45 p.m.
