The Red has started the postseason on the right foot, coming out victorious against Brown in a two-game sweep, 4-2, 6-0. But the team’s success started before Friday night — on Thursday, senior forward Rebecca Johnston was named Ivy League Player of the Year. Johnston also won the same title back in 2008, but this year she scored nine goals in Ivy League play, more than anyone else in the league.
And once again, a Red forward comes away with the Ivy League Rookie of the Year honors. Freshman forward Jillian Saulnier took this title from reigning champion, sophomore Brianne Jenner.
Cornell boasts an impressive showing on the All-Ivy first team. Aside from Johnston and Jenner, junior defensemen Laura Fortino and Lauriane Rougeau made the cut.
Additionally senior goaltender Amanda Mazzotta — Cornell’s reigning all-time wins leader with 48 — made the All-Ivy second team.
On Friday at 3:30 p.m., Cornell beat Brown, 4-2, to kick off the ECAC quarterfinals. The Red took the early lead, scoring three goals in the first period. Although Brown answered with a goal late in the first and another in the second, ultimately the Bears could not comeback to win it, as Cornell buried a fourth goal halfway through the third.
Johnston came away from the night with two goals, senior forward Catherine White earned a goal and an assist and sophomore defenseman Alyssa Gagliardi notched two assists.
The Ivy rivals faced off at Lynah Rink again on Saturday at 2 p.m. This time, the Bears could not put the puck past Mazzotta, who collected her fifth shutout of the season as the Red defeated Brown, 6-0.
Fortino scored twice and Rougeau along with senior forwards Chelsea Karpenko and Erin Barley-Maloney each registered a goal and an assist.
With the shutout over Brown, Cornell advances to the ECAC Hockey semifinals. The opponent is yet to be determined, but the showdown will begin at 3:30 pm on March 2 at Lynah Rink.
Original Author: Dani Abada