UTICA, NY- Williams College women’s hockey senior forward Natlie Bernstein pounced on a loose puck in front of the net with 46 seconds left in the contest and scored the game-winner to lift the Eph’s to a 2-1 non-conference victory over host Utica College on Saturday afternoon.
The Pioneers snapped a four game win streak as their record moved to 9-3-1 overall on the year. Junior goalie Keira Goin (Dobbs Ferry, NY/Hotchkiss School)’s 268:25 shutout streak, that including four straight shutouts, was ended. Goin finished the night with 27 saves.
Utica trailed 1-0 headed into the third period of play until freshman Lauren Patterson (Burlington, Ontario/Oakville) punched in the game-tying tally after a shot on net from Gabrielle Schnepp (Northville, MI/Belle Tire) bounced around between Eph’s goalie Christina Cleroux’s legs. Kayla Dion (Colchester, VT/Boston Shamrocks ) was also credited with an assist for the Pioneers. Patterson now has 17 points this season on five goals and 12 assists. Schnepp added her 21st point of the season and she now has six goals and 15 assists.
Williams opened the scoring on the day when Sara Lehman scored 7:21 into the second period, off assists from Hanna Beattie and Chelsey Stevenson, to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
The Eph’s outshot the Pioneers 29-20 on the afternoon and both of their goals came on the power-play. The Pioneers did not have a power-play opportunity the entire contest.
Williams improved to 5-2 overall on the year. UC is now 5-2 against Williams in their last seven meetings.
Utica returns to action after the holiday break when they host nationally-ranked Norwich University on January 10th at 3 p.m.
