Union Ties UConn in Final Non-Conference Contest
STORRS, Conn. – Despite a lively, four-goal second period,
the Union College women's ice hockey team earned their third tie of
the season with a 2-2 final against the University of Connecticut
at the Freitas Ice Forum on Tuesday night. The Huskies record moved
to 3-13-6 overall, while the Dutchwomen left with a 3-16-3
record.
After a scoreless first period, that featured Union outshooting
Connecticut 13-4, the second period looked like a completely
different game. Each team scored twice and the Huskies held a
13-11 advantage in shots on goal.
Freshman Emily Snodgrass started the scoring for UConn with her
sixth goal of the season just 37 seconds into the period.
Sophomore Jocelyn Slattery brought the puck up the left wing and
centered to Snodgrass in the slot for a one-timer into the
net. The Dutchwomen tied the game up in the fifth minute when
junior Jeannie Sabourin entered the offensive zone alone and beat
Husky sophomore goaltender Nicole Paniccia to the stick-side.
Connecticut regained the lead at the 9:17 mark when sophomore
Alexandra Vakos found the back of the net. Junior Maude Blain
started the play from the backboards with a pass to junior
defenseman Casey Knajdek. Knajdek blasted a shot on goal that was
saved and Vakos picked up the rebound and placed the puck past
Union senior goaltender Kate Gallagher. Just over two minutes
later, the Dutchwomen erased their second deficit of the
period. This time, junior Rhianna Kurio, assisted by
Sabourin, lit the lamp with the equalizing score.
Neither team could put one in the net in the third period.
UConn successfully killed off three Union power plays in the
period. Overall, the Husky penalty kill went five-for-five
and has killed off 27 of the last 28 opponent power plays.
In the overtime period, Connecticut held a 5-1 advantage in shots
on goal, while Union had an overall advantage of 36-30.
For the game, Paniccia surpassed 30 saves for the second straight
game as she stopped 34 shots. In net for the Dutchwomen,
Gallagher provided 28 saves. In Union's last 10 games, five have
gone into overtime with four being backstopped by the senior
netminder.
After playing their final non-conference game of the season, Union
is set to travel to ECAC foes Harvard and Dartmouth this weekend.
The Dutchwomen face the Crimson on Friday, January 13th, at 7:00
p.m. and battle the Big Green on Saturday, January 14th, at 4:00
p.m.












