Wilkes Women's Ice Hockey Conclude Historic Season in First Round of the NCAA Tournament
WATERVILLE, ME - The Wilkes women's ice hockey team concluded their season this afternoon, narrowly falling to Colby College in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by a score of 4-3.
The Mules opened the scoring early in the first period with a goal by Mandy Busky in the second minute of the period. A goal by Megan Bell (Waterloo, ON/St. David Catholic) halfway through the first period got the Colonels on the board and leveled the playing field, with Renee Ng (Hong Kong, China/Mount Academy) tallying the assist. Colby regained the lead in the final five minutes of the first period with an unassisted goal by Breanna Studley on a breakaway in the Mules' offensive zone. Throughout the period, play remained level on both sides of the ice, with the Colonels recording 14 shots and nine faceoff wins and the Mules with 18 shots and 12 faceoff wins. Audrey Milne (London, ON) totaled 10 saves during the first period.
Colby College was strong offensively in the second period, with a third goal by the Mules scored by Megan Martodam, followed up by a fourth goal for the Mules scored by Molly Lefebvre. Both goals came in the first five minutes of the period, and the Mules remained dominant in their offensive zone throughout the remainder of the period but the Colonels kept the deficit to two. Wilkes had a power play opportunity in the final five minutes of the second period with near goal chances by Jordan Ferry (Bohemia, NY) and Haylee Bouchard (Sioux Lookout, ON) and additional shots by Renee Ng (Hong Kong, China/Mount Academy), Gianna Pacilio (Franklinville, NJ), and Bell. In goal, Milne recorded an additional 10 saves to total 20 at the end of the second period.
Bouchard opened the third period with a goal in the first 20 seconds to cut the deficit to two goals for the Colonels. A shot by Ng following the goal nearly got the Colonels to a one goal deficit, but a save by Mandy Busky kept Wilkes at two. A Wilkes power play in the final minute of the game allowed the Colonels third goal of the game with Nina Hudakova finding the back of the net in a crucial moment, with assists by Bell and Iida Laitinen (Jyväskylä, Finland). Milne ended the game with 24 total saves for the Colonels. After a strong comeback effort by the Colonels, the women came up just short, with the final of the game being 4-3 in favor of Colby.
The Colonels concluded their season with a 22-4-2 overall record, and made history winning the inaugural MAC women's ice hockey championship and making their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
