The William Smith College ice hockey team knocked off Salem State University, 4-2, in a New England Hockey Conference contest at Rockett Arena on Friday night. With the win, the Herons are now 2-0-1 on the season and 1-0-0 in conference play.
Nine different players recorded a point for William Smith. Erin Murrayplayed all 60 minutes in goal and made 23 saves. Kaia Hollingsworth went the distance and made 34 saves for the Vikings (0-1-0, 0-1-0).
KEY STATS:
- William Smith finished the contest with a 38-25 advantage in shots on goal.
- Both teams were 1-fo-6 on the power play.
FIRST PERIOD:
- The Herons opened the scoring at the 9:30 mark of the first period when Annabel Ziskin wristed a shot from the point past Hollingsworth for her first goal of the season. Julianna Gong was awarded an assist on the goal.
- William Smith continued to apply pressure in the middle portion of the period, but Hollingsworth kept Salem State in the game making several big saves.
- Tea Miles Mil had a chance for the Vikings late in the period, but Murray made a key glove save.
SECOND PERIOD:
- The Herons extended the lead to 2-0 on Ava Cornforth’s first goal of the season. Alex George was credited with an assist on the goal power-play goal.
- Salem State broke up the shutout bid at the 10:10 mark of the period. Jessica Robert raced the length of the ice and slipped a shot past Murray.
- Mia LaPlante’s first goal of the season gave William Smith a 3-1 lead. She snapped a shot from the left faceoff circle past Hollingsworth. The tally was assisted by Kayla Ketchabaw.
THIRD PERIOD:
- Mackenzie O’Neil added an insurance goal for William Smith at the 12:44 mark of the final frame. She wrapped around the net and stuffed the loose puck across the goal line. Her first goal of the season was assisted by Emily Cataldo and Emily Rourke.
- Just over a minute later, Salem State wrapped up the scoring. Catherine Lawrence blasted a shot past Murray. Her goal was assisted by Kendra Currier and Alexis Thomas.
COACH’S CORNER:
“Tonight was a great team win,” Head Coach Matt Cunningham said. “Everyone contributed and we played three solid periods of consistent hockey while managing the puck and playing to our strengths.”
UP NEXT:
The Herons will be back in action tomorrow, November 5, when they head to Gorham, Maine, to take on the University of Southern Maine. The faceoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].