Women's hockey falls to Trinity in four overtimes

For family, friends and fans, the NESCAC semifinal women’s hockey game on Mar. 6 was nothing if not a nail-biter. Sitting on the edge of their seats for almost four and a half hours — more than twice the length of a normal game — the crowd at Amherst’s Orr Rink watched as the Panthers battled the Trinity Bantams in a heartbreaking 2-1 loss in the fourth overtime period. Not surprisingly, the game set a new record for the longest Division III women’s hockey game ever played. Both teams put up a phenomenal performance — it was clear to anyone watching that the skaters left it all on the ice last Saturday.

Heidi Woodworth ’11 opened the scoring for Middlebury, tallying the Panthers’ first and only goal a mere three minutes into the game, with an assist from Ashley Bairos ’10 and Anna McNally ’11. The Panthers only slightly outshot the Bantams, though captain Lani Wright ’10 blocked two particularly difficult shots from the Trinity players, setting the tone for her outstanding performance throughout the game.

The second period once again saw heated action on both sides of the ice, both teams giving it their all. The commentator for the live Internet broadcast of the game noted that neither team was prepared to go home without a fight, not knowing at the time how true these words would ring. After a few close calls, Trinity’s Britney McKenna managed to tie up the game at 12:31 as she knocked the puck past Wright to put Bowdoin on the board.

Pushing hard to take back the lead, Middlebury’s skaters kept up the aggressive plays, once again holding the shot advantage over the Bantams and providing goaltender Isabel Iwachiw with plenty of action. Nevertheless, for the next 70 minutes of play the two squads remained locked in a stalemate.

One overtime period after another went by scoreless. With both sides refusing to let up and go home empty-handed, the game looked as though it might last forever. For the seniors on the ice, most of whom have been playing hockey since they could barely walk, this game had the potential to be the last of their careers, and these women were determined to make it count.

By the fourth overtime period, when the skaters had played well past their last ounce of energy and were running on pure adrenaline, Payson Sword managed to sneak a shot past Wright and end the game.

“After 6 1/2 periods you knew the ending wasn’t going to be pretty, and the final goal showed that,” said assistant captain Marjie Billings ’10.

While the Panthers numbly skated off the ice in disbelief, the Bantams collapsed onto one another, celebrating what would be their first appearance in the NESCAC title game.

“We went in to the game aiming to play the best game yet, and hoping for another week but that wasn’t the case,” Billings added. “Lani played the most unbelievable game I have seen her play in all my four years.”

Indeed, Wright made 54 beautiful saves in the game, refusing to let Trinity infiltrate her territory and fending off some of the most aggressive shots the Panthers had encountered all season.

“Although losing the game was incredibly disappointing, we left everything on the ice,” said assistant captain Heather McCormack. “No one gave up — we worked as hard as we could until the minute the game ended.”

“We fought hard for [the equivalent of] two full hockey games, which will be an experience we will all remember,” added Woodworth.

Though their season is now over, the Panthers have provided their fans with a truly exciting winter, displaying talent and grit that impressed everyone who witnessed them play.

“This year was one of the most fun seasons in terms of team chemistry,” said Billings, reflecting on the past months. “The [first-years] were a huge part of that this year and they made an unbelievable impact. On top of that, I am leaving this team having made some of the best friends ever, which just goes to show you what Middlebury teams are all about. That can’t be measured from a winning or losing season.”

The team ends it season with a record of 16-7-3, marking the first time in nine years that the Panthers will not participate in the NCAA playoffs. This statistic does not reflect a diminshed level of talent and commitment on the part of the Middlebury women, however. Rather, it represents the dramatic increase in the number of phenomenal players recruited to D-III teams, particularly in the NESCAC conference. Almost every program in the NESCAC has grown into a formidable opponent, and Middlebury no longer stands alone at the top. Nevertheless, such competition can only make the Panthers better.

Middlebury will lose four seniors this year, as Ashley Bairos ’10, Wright, Billings and McCormack will be graduating in May.