Duggan Scores in Final Minute to Lift Saints
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| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Lawrence (18-5-3, 12-1-1 ECACH) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Cornell (10-10-2, 6-7-2 ECACH) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Scoring Summary | |
|---|---|
| 2nd - 16:39 | Rebecca Johnston (Cornell) |
| 3rd - 01:07 | Alison Domenico (St. Lawrence) |
| 3rd - 19:37 | Carson Duggan (St. Lawrence) |
| St. Lawrence | Cornell |
|---|---|
|
G:
2 Players (#12, #22 - 1)
A: 3 Players (#10, #18, #76 - 1) Sh: Karell Emard - 5 Sv: Brittony Chartier - 29 |
G:
Rebecca Johnston - 1
A: 2 Players (#11, #26 - 1) Sh: Rebecca Johnston - 7 Sv: Amanda Mazzotta - 30 |
| TEAM STATISTICS | St. Lawrence | Cornell |
|---|---|---|
| Power Plays | 0 for 1 | 0 for 3 |
| Shorthanded Goals | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties (min) | 3 (6) | 1 (2) |
| Shots on Goal | 32 | 30 |
| Face Offs Won | 20 | 18 |
Ithaca, NY - For the second time this season, the No. 4 St. Lawrence University women's hockey team appeared to be headed for overtime against a feisty Cornell University team. However, senior assistant captain Carson Duggan had other plans, as she picked up the game-winning goal with 23 seconds left in regulation to help the Saints escape Lynah Rink in Ithaca, NY with a 2-1 victory.
St. Lawrence remained unbeaten against Cornell in their last 21 meetings with the Big Red and won their tenth straight game at Lynah Rink. Head coach Chris Wells' team, which won for the first time this season after trailing through two periods, improved to 18-5-3 and 12-1-1 in ECAC Hockey. Meanwhile, Cornell (10-10-2, 6-7-2) was unable to capitalize on another strong showing by Rebecca Johnston and a solid goaltending performance by Amanda Mazzotta.
"We played with very good composure, which you always like to see as we head towards the postseason," said Coach Wells. "It was a very evenly played game and we were certainly fortunate to get the last bounce. (Rebecca) Johnston is a fun player to watch and is proving why she is one of the best in the sport."
The two teams, which tied 4-4 in their previous meeting at Appleton Arena this season, played a scoreless first period that was owned by the two goaltenders. Mazzotta, making her first start of her collegiate career, matched St. Lawrence goaltender Brittony Chartier save-for-save, with each player making 11 stops in the opening stanza.
The second period was again very close in shots on goal with the home team holding an 8-7 advantage. However, Johnston, who recorded a hat trick in the first meeting this season, continued to deliver against
St. Lawrence with a goal at 16:39 of the second period to put Cornell on top 1-0 after two. The goal was her 15th of the season, with assists going to Chelsea Karpenko and Sam Wauer.
The visitors would take only 1:07 into the third period to respond, as senior assistant captain Alison Domenico scored her 11th goal of the year to knot the score at 1-1. Domenico was able to pounce on a rebound in front of Mazzotta for the tally, with an assist going to junior Britni Smith.
Cornell would have a fantastic opportunity to reclaim the lead, as St. Lawrence took consecutive minors at 9:03 and 11:16 to give the home team four consecutive minutes of power play action. Though the Big Red would manage four shots on goal, Chartier held firm and helped her penalty killing unit keep the game tied at 1-1.
St. Lawrence would turn up the heat on Mazzotta late in the third period, as the visitors finished with a 14-11 advantage in shots in the final frame. In typical fashion, Duggan, who is now only four game-winning goals shy of the University record, beat the Cornell goalie at 19:37 of the third period to help ensure the St. Lawrence victory at 2-1. The goal was Duggan's 96th of her career and extended the Ma-Me-O Beach, Alberta native's point-scoring streak to a career and team-high nine games. Fellow assistant captain Lisa Batchelor and sophomore Karell Emard picked up assists on the goal.
"I was very proud of how we battled all night, and Carson (Duggan) continues to find ways to put the puck in the net and help us win hockey games," added Coach Wells.
St. Lawrence closed with a narrow 32-30 advantage in shots on goal, while neither team was able to pick up a power play goal (Cornell 0-for-3, St. Lawrence 0-for-1). Chartier helped St. Lawrence win their sixth straight game with a 29-save performance, while Mazzotta turned in 30 saves in a losing effort.
The No. 4 Saints will be in action again tomorrow, Saturday, January 31 when they head to Hamilton, NY to take on Colgate University. The game, which is set to begin at 4:00pm, will be televised locally by Time Warner Cable (channel 26).
