The Plymouth State women’s ice hockey team (4-15-3) looked like they were going to pull out a victory on Senior Day last Friday night, but had to settle for a tie after visiting New England College (7-9-6) scored a tying goal with only 1:51 remaining in the third period.
The game got off to a slow start as both teams were struggling to put things together. Junior Ali Ponte (Richmond Hill, Ont.) stopped all seven shots she faced in an unblemished first frame. Her effort was met by New England College goalie Lauren Hopps (21 saves), who turned away all eight Panther shots she faced to begin the game.
The Panthers got on the board first in the second period when they took immediate advantage of a New England College penalty. Sophomore Courtney Sollows (West Barnstable, MA) scored her second goal of the year just 12 seconds into the power-play with assists from sophomore Kelsey Cosby (Walpole, MA) and junior Jane Baruch (Coventry, RI). Ponte held the score 1-0 the rest of the period, stopping 11 shots in the second frame, keeping the Pilgrims off the scoreboard.
The Panthers had to work to hold onto the lead in the third period as it was all New England College. Plymouth State had five penalties in the last third of regulation and played a player down most of the period. The Pilgrims outshot the Panthers 13 to 5, but even then it looked like the Panthers might hold on for the victory as time continued to tick off the clock and Ponte continued to keep the Pilgrims off the scoreboard. Sollows’ goal looked like it might be the game-winner, but the penalties finally caught up to Plymouth, though, and New England College broke through when Sam Hippen scored a power-play goal with under two minutes to play in regulation to knot the score at 1-1. Neither team could score again before the horn sounded, and the 55 fans in attendance were treated to free hockey as the game went into overtime.
Both teams had their chances in an overtime that saw some 4-on-4 action, but neither net-minder let in another goal and the Panthers had to settle for a tie on a tough game they looked like they were going to finish with a victory. Ponte finished the game with 33 saves in net for the Panthers.
The Lady Panthers hope to build off this game when they play final home game of the season when they host Castleton (9-9-3) in a make-up game on Tuesday, February 12th. The puck drops at 6 p.m.