RYE, N.Y. – Despite putting up four goals, the Valiant women’s ice hockey team was unable to get past the high powered Cadets of nationally ranked Norwich University, dropping their first contest of the season 7-4 Saturday afternoon at Playland Ice Casino.
Manhattanville became just the third team in the last two seasons to score four goals against the Cadets, with Norwich allowing seven goals to number two ranked Elmira and six goals to top ranked Plattsburgh last season.
It was a tale of special teams once again Saturday, as Manhattanville (1-1, 1-1 NEHC) surrendered three power play goals to the Cadets (2-0, 2-0 NEHC) on five opportunities, while also converting three of ten power play opportunities themselves.
Senior Olivia Drew (York, Maine/Portland Jr. Pirates) made her second consecutive start between the pipes for Manhattanville, making 24 saves while facing a barrage of shots from the Cadets. Norwich attempted nearly 50 shots on the day, with 31 finding the target. For the Cadets, Laurie King needed 14 saves to earn her first victory of the season in goal.
The Valiants (1-1, 1-1 NEHC) took an early lead in Saturday’s contest, scoring just under two minutes into the contest on a breakaway goal by junior Karly Kapur (Sparta, N.J./N.J. Colonials). After Norwich scored two power play goals to take the lead, the Valiants responded with a goal late in the first period on the power play from sophomore transfer Nicole Mensi (Mamaroneck, N.Y./SUNY Plattsburgh).
After the intermission it was all Norwich in the second period. The Cadets found the back of the net three times in a span of four minutes to make it 5-2 just past the midway points of the stanza. The Valiants cut into the lead once again on a power play goal from Mensi, her second of the day, but Norwich again had the response, scoring 28 seconds later to retake a three-goal lead heading into the final period of play.
Midway through the final period, the Cadets put the game out of reach for good when Sarah Schwenzfeier capped off a hat trick with her third goal of the day to make it 7-3, Norwich. The Valiants used a goal off the stick of junior Sarah Sinning (Southold, N.Y./National Sports Academy) and opportunities on the power play and with an empty net late, but were unable to close the gap to within three goals, falling by the 7-4 final score.
After splitting their first two games of the season, Manhattanville now prepares to head on the road for the first time this season as they travel to Southern Maine and the University of New England for two afternoon NEHC matchups next weekend.
