ASTON, Pa. – A goal with four minutes to play would be the deciding factor as the Hood College women's ice hockey team completed the sweep over Neumann University with a 2-1 victory.
Inside the Box Score
Sofie Ancona (Grosse Point Farms, Mi./Saint Clair Shores Saints) and
Mia Cheesebrough (Mendota Heights, Mn./Two Rivers/St. Paul Riveters) each scored a goal.
Emily Cross (Bryantown, Md./Tri-City Eagles) and
Meghan Savage (Mount Pleasant, Sc./Florida Alliance) both finished the game with an assist.
Kamryn Sohner (Hilliard, Oh./Dallas Stars Elite AAA) made 16 saves in the win.
How it Happened
The Knights put the pressure on early, forcing the Blazers into committing a penalty just 3:35 in. Sohner saved both shots that went her way though, and Hood was able to kill it with no damage done.
After that, the Blazers went hard into the offensive zone and did not allow a shot on goal for more than six minutes. Despite being unable to get anything past Neumann netminder Noelle Woodard initially, Cheesebrough would take advantage of some 4-on-4 play due to offsetting roughing penalties and wrist a shot past the goalie to give Hood a 1-0 lead with just over four minutes in the period. A pair of penalties would be handed out again in the final couple minutes, but the Blazers maintained their one-goal lead heading into the first intermission.
Some miscommunication early in the second gave the Knights a power play, but Sohner stood tall once again to keep Hood's lead intact. Another penalty was killed later in the period, and neither team could find the back of the net despite each one getting a solid amount of zone time.
Although the Blazers came out for the third period ripping offensively again, a Neumann blocked shot led to a 2-on-1 for the home team, and a top shelf snipe from Kaila Booth tied the game 1-1 7:31 in. After a timeout from head coach
Josh Funk, Hood regained its composure and began controlling the pace of play once again. Despite that, the Knights had a breakaway chance to take the lead with 4:30 to play, but Sohner came up big in the moment, stopping the first shot before the next clanged off the post. Suddenly, Cross was able to find Ancona on a break of her own, and after getting past the last Neumann defender, went backhand-forehand to get around the goalie and deposit the puck into the back of the net. That goal restored the Blazers' advantage, one they would hang on to and secure the 2-1 victory on the road.
For the Opponent
Booth scored Neumann's lone goal, which was assisted by Sammie Haun.
Woodard made 32 saves in the loss.
Analysis
The Blazers outshot the Knights 34-17.
Hood went 0-2 on their power play opportunities, while Neumann failed to score on all four of their player advantages.
The Blazers had a 29-18 advantage in the faceoff circle.
Notes
Hood's winning streak hits four as it improves to 11-5-2 (5-5-2) and moves into fourth place in the conference, while Neumann drops to 5-13 (3-11).
Up Next
The Blazers have their final matchup against MAC rival Stevenson to determine the winner of the annual Battle of I-95 at Skate Frederick Friday, January 30 at 3:10 p.m.
