NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Manhattanville College women’s ice hockey team was unable to overcome a strong Norwich University attack, as they fell to their conference foe 4-0 Saturday at Kreitzberg Arena.
The Valiants (2-4-0 overall, 2-4-0 NEHC) struggled to get into a groove on offense, recording just 12 shots on goal for the afternoon. The defense was tested all afternoon, as Norwich recorded 38 shots on goal, and earned a 38-24 advantage in faceoff wins.
Sophomore Melissa Stys (Pequannock, N.J./Kent School) led the Valiants with three shots on goal, but was unable to find a way to beat goaltender Laurie King, who picked up her second shutout of the season in the win.
For the Valiants, junior goaltender Olivia Drew (York, Maine/Portland Jr. Pirates) made 18 saves in the opening period, allowing just one goal with three minutes remaining in the period when Norwich was able to capitalize on a man-advantage to take a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
The Cadets (6-2-0 overall, 6-0-0 NEHC) offense turned up the pressure in the second period, recording another ten shots on goal and finding the back of the net three times behind two goals from Adelle Murphy and one goal from Erin Joyce.
In the third period, freshman goaltender Rose Pijaca (Worcester, Mass./Worcester Academy) replaced Drew between the pipes for the Valiants. The Worcester native made nine saves in the period to shut down the Cadet attackers but it was too little, too late for Manhattanville who dropped their second consecutive conference matchup.
With the win, Norwich remained unbeaten and in first place in the New England Hockey Conference. The Valiants remain tied for eighth in the conference currently with four points, eight points behind the Cadets.
Manhattanville returns to action Tuesday as they play host to Neumann University in their final game until the new year. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00 P.M. at Playland Ice Casino.
