Women’s hockey action was characterized by a flurry of offense, primarily in the third period, this weekend, as Cornell hosted Wayne State for a two-game series. On Saturday afternoon, Wayne State (4-8-2) used three third-period goals to lift itself over the Red, 5-4. Yesterday, an overtime goal by senior assistant captain Vicki Hodgkinson propelled the Red to the winning end of a 5-4 victory. With the win, the Red earned its second consecutive split of a weekend series, improving its record to 2-4-0.
“I thought the games were pretty even. We got a couple clutch goals [yesterday] so that was the difference,” Kristalyn said. “This win will get us going for next week’s games against Colgate, which are significant because we are always pretty close with them in the standings.”
In the first game of the series, Wayne State was powered by freshman Sam Poyton’s four-point night. Poyton’s two third period goals a minute and a half apart helped Wayne State erase a late deficit to edge Cornell.
The Warriors got on the board 12:57 into the game and extended their lead to two early in the second period. Both goals came on the power play.
The Red would get a power-play goal of its own less than three minutes later as sophomore Caeleigh Beerworth registered her third goal of the season with freshman Emma Chipman and junior Halina Kristalyn receiving assists.
Cornell knotted up the score at the 16:10 mark of the second period with an even strength goal by senior Becky Fisher. It was Fisher’s first goal of the season as Beerworth and sophomore Molly McDonald were credited with assists on the play.
Early in the third period, with the score tied at two, Kristalyn was whistled for tripping, putting Wayne State on the power play. The Warriors took advantage, as freshman Tina Vanderhoeven scored her first goal of the year. The Red would respond two and a half minutes later with a goal of its own as Kristalyn put it in the net for the third time this season. Shortly thereafter, Cornell went on a power play and Hodgkinson wasted little time in scoring to give the Red its first lead of the game.
With the clock winding down, Poyton took over the game, scoring at the 16:23 and 17:53 marks to boost the Warriors to the 5-4 victory. The Red subsequently pulled senior goalie Flora Vineberg, who had made 31 saves on the night, in an effort to generate a last-minute goal, but were unable to capitalize.
Yesterday, Hodgkinson’s overtime goal, a minute and a half into extra time, capped off an impressive offensive performance in which she recorded a hat trick, bringing her goal total on the year to six.
Cornell got on the board first, when, after a scoreless first period, senior captain Andrea Skinner scored after collecting a rebound off of a missed shot by senior Emily Cabral. However, less than two minutes later, Poyton – who finished with four goals and three assists on the weekend – would tie the game up at one. Later in the period, with Cornell on a power play, Hodgkinson would reclaim the lead for the Red with Skinner and sophomore Brianne Schmidt receiving assists on the play.
In the third period, Kristalyn would extend the Red’s lead to two, 5:19 into the frame. However, at that point, the Red’s seemingly secure grip on the game began to loosen. Just a minute later, freshman Melissa Boal would bring the Warriors to within one. About 10 minutes later, Wayne State would score two goals in the span of a minute to seize the lead.
Down by one with the clock expiring, Cornell would pull its goalie in favor of an extra attacker. Unlike on Saturday, the strategy worked as Hodgkinson scored with 1:05 remaining in the game. Cornell would hold off a late push by the Warriors to force overtime.
Thirty seconds into extra time, Cornell went on a power play. Hodgkinson would score shortly thereafter, securing the Red’s first home win of the season.
Junior goalie Beth Baronick got the nod in goal yesterday and made 26 saves. Entering the weekend, Wayne State statistically was one of the top teams in the country killing penalties. Reflecting its increased dedication to special teams play, the Red scored five goals on 13 power-play opportunities over the weekend.
Archived article by Jon Hausner
Sun Staff Writer