Women’s Hockey Drops Two at the Puck Drop Classic
Justin Siewierski
Sports Editor
The Plymouth State Women’s hockey got off to a rough start this season, dropping their first two games at the Puck Drop Classic in Harrisville, Rhode Island this past weekend, falling to Endicott and Buffalo State. Plymouth goaltender Alyssa Altschuler (Cheshire, Conn.) recorded 25 saves in the first game, and Olivia Leon (Natick, Mass) scored the first goal of the season for the Lady Panthers.
The Nichols College ice facility saw Endicott open up the Puck Drop Classic with their first victory as a NCAA Division III varsity program, a 2-0 win with the first goal scored just nine minutes into the first period. Plymouth freshman Taylor Jackson (St. Albans, VT) and junior teammate Haley Branovan (Canandaigua, NY) both held the Plymouth State shot category with three shots apiece. Not only was it the first win in Endicott women’s ice hockey, but it was also the first shutout victory, with Gulls goaltender Vendela Jonnson collecting 17 saves in the victory.
Plymouth posted their first goal of the season off a power play shot from Olivia Leon that found the back of the net in the second period, assisted by Courtney Evans (Fairbanks, Alaska) and Branovan. The lone PSU goal came only after two goals were posted by Buffalo State; the first, a bullet by Caitie Horvatits after goalie Emelie Lindqvist (Gullerasen, Sweden) took on 16 previous shots. Lindqvist, the freshman, finished with 40 saves on the afternoon, a season-high.
The team looks to bounce back tonight at Saint Michael’s, before playing UMass Boston in their home opener this Saturday.