Piper Grober scored two power-play goals, including the eventual game-winner, as No. 14 Cornell women’s hockey opened its season Friday with a 3-2 victory over No. 15 Vermont at Lynah Rink. The Big Red improved to 1-0-0 while the Catamounts dropped to 3-2-0.
Cornell controlled the opening period, holding a 16-2 advantage in shots. Grober broke through late in the frame, scoring on the power play off an assist from Jill McLaughlin to give the Big Red a 1-0 lead.
Vermont responded midway through the second period when Linnea Misner converted a power-play opportunity to even the score. However, Cornell regained the advantage just 40 seconds later as Shannon Pearson found the back of the net with an assist from Rose Dwyer.
Grober extended Cornell’s lead to 3-1 early in the third period, capitalizing on another power play with assists from Lindzi Avar and Karel Prefontaine.
The Catamounts made things interesting when Hilary Wilkin scored with just over five minutes remaining, cutting the deficit to one goal.
Vermont pulled goaltender Tara Bach in the closing seconds and gained a six-on-four advantage following a Cornell penalty, but the Big Red survived the late pressure.
Cornell finished with a 35-17 advantage in shots and converted two of its six power-play opportunities. Annelies Bergmann recorded 15 saves in the victory while Bach stopped 32 shots for Vermont.
Grober led Cornell with eight shots on goal, while Delaney Fleming added five.
The teams return to Lynah Rink Saturday for a rematch scheduled for 3 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.
