Hershey, Pa. – The Wilkes University women's ice hockey team began their weekend slate of away games on Friday night, defeating Lebanon Valley College 2-1 in Middle Atlantic Conference action.
In a matchup which featured all three goals being scored in the third period, the Colonels improved to 16-1-1 (14-1-0 MAC) following the victory, their 12th in a row in conference play. Lebanon Valley fell to 13-5-0 (10-4-0 MAC).
In the first period of play, the two sides traded power play opportunities, but both penalty kill units stood strong as the game remained scoreless going into the intermission.
The second period was much of the same as the first, with both goaltenders stopping everything that came their way. Going into the third period, the Colonels and Lebanon Valley combined for 29 shots on goal, with either side unable to light the lamp.
The Colonels eventually struck first, early on in the third period when
Haylee Bouchard (Sioux Lookout, ON/) found twine under a minute-and-a-half into the frame.
Nina Hudakova (Košice, Slovakia/Hoosac Prep School) struck for the visitors five minutes later, giving Wilkes a 2-0 lead with about 15 minutes remaining in regulation. Bouchard assisted on the play, giving her a two-point night.
Lebanon Valley wouldn't go down without a fight however, chipping away until they finally found an avenue back into the contest with a goal from Addison Taylert with less than four minutes left to make it 2-1.
From there however,
Audrey Milne (London, ON) had the final say, stopping the home side from equalizing, and securing the win for the Colonels.
Milne recorded 23 saves, while
Renee Ng (Hong Kong, China/Mount Academy) and
Jordan Ferry (Bohemia, NY/) led the team with four shots each.
For Lebanon Valley, Mia Frisoni recorded 31 saves in the defeat. Anna Dale led the team with five shots on goal.
Wilkes returns to action tomorrow afternoon, Jan. 31 for a MAC contest against Stevenson University on the road. Face-off against the Mustangs is set for 3 p.m. from the Reisterstown Sportsplex in Stevenson, Md.
