ASTON, Pa. – A goal in the final minute of overtime propelled the Hood College women's ice hockey team to a 2-1 victory on the road over Middle Atlantic Conference foe Neumann University.
Inside the Box Score
Emily Cross (Bryantown, Md./Tri-City Eagles) scored the game-winning goal, while
Alyssa Wilson (Scottsdale, Az./Dallas Stars Elite AAA) scored the Blazers' first goal.
Sofie Ancona (Grosse Point Farms, Mi./Saint Clair Shores Saints) finished with two assists, and
Mia Cheesebrough (Mendota Heights, Mn./Two Rivers/St. Paul Riveters) and
Olivia Sharkoski (Bradenton, Fl./Nashville Jr. Predators U19) were each credited with an assist.
Maggie Grijalva (Fullerton, Ca./Anaheim Lady Ducks AAA) made 16 saves in the win.
How it Happened
Hood came out swinging to start the game, winning every faceoff and getting every shot on goal for the first seven minutes. The Blazers would go on the power play around that time, and after losing their first faceoff and reentering the zone, Wilson would redirect a pass just past the outstretched pad of goalie Noelle Woodard and give Hood a 1-0 lead.
Neumann's offense managed to get some shots on goal in the period, but the rest of the time was primarily controlled by the Blazers, and the teams went into the first intermission with them still holding a 1-0 advantage.
Despite controlling the pace of play early in the second, a penalty on Hood just four minutes into the period gave the Knights their first good chance to tie the game. The Knights would do just that, as a pass deflection down near the goal just got past the outstretched glove of Grijalva to tie things 1-1.
Both teams would get another power play opportunity in the period, with the Blazers taking advantage of the extra attacking chances and outshooting Neumann 11-6, but the game would remain knotted at one apiece when the horn sounded for the second intermission.
The third period was almost completely controlled by Hood, as the visitors outshot the Knights 13-5 while also winning a majority of the faceoffs. Unfortunately, the Blazers could not convert this offensive pressure into a goal, and after Grijalva saved back-to-back opportunities with less than 10 seconds left in regulation, the game would head to overtime.
3-on-3 overtime would see a lot of action on both ends, as Neuman got the first couple shots on goal on Grijalva, but Hood would manage to clear the zone and return fire on Woodard. The Blazers kept the puck in the zone though, and after putting shot after shot on goal, a fresh Cross was able to get just enough free space past her defender and rifle a shot past Woodard to win the game 2-1.
For the Opponent
Kaila Booth scored the Knights' lone goal, with Gia Santorello and Charlotte Labre assisting.
Woodard made 39 saves in the loss.
Analysis
Hood outshot Neumann 41-17.
The Blazers 1-3 on power play chances, while the Knights went 1-5 on their player advantage opportunities.
Hood had a 39-18 edge in faceoffs.
Notes
The Blazers improve to 10-5-2 (5-5-2), while the Knights drop to 5-12 (3-10).
Up Next
Hood will finish up the weekend road series with Neumann Saturday, January 24 at 2 p.m.
