Women’s Hockey Ousted in Classic Final

The second-ranked Middlebury women’s hockey team continued its in-conference dominance with two wins against Trinity the weekend before Thanksgiving. Middlebury hosted the ninth annual Panther/Cardinal Classic the following weekend and welcomed some top-ranked squads to Kenyon Arena. On Saturday, Nov. 30, the Panthers defeated number four Elmira College 5-3. Middlebury experienced a hiccup in their winning ways on Sunday, Dec. 1 with a loss against number one ranked Plattsburgh, dropping the Panthers to 5-1 on the year.

The first game against Trinity was an exciting one, ending with a 3-2 win. Emily Fluke ’15 struck the fatal blow 1:18 into overtime, with a dart over the left shoulder of Trinity goalkeeper Kristen Maxwell off a pass from Carly Schaeder ’16. The other two goals came from Mackenzie Martin ’15 in the first period and from Katie Sullivan ’15 on a power play in the second period. Kate Moreau ’15, Fluke, Sullivan, and Anna Van Kula ’16 all earned assists in the first game.

The Panthers played a completely different game on Saturday, Nov. 23, sweeping Trinity with an explosive 7-0 win. Middlebury outshot Trinity 41-14, and five different Panthers had goals in the game. Captain Sara Ugalde ’14 and Sullivan finished with two goals each. The other goals went to Sullivan, Van Kula, Madeline Joyce ’14, and Martin. Fluke finished with three assists on the day, while Hannah Bielawski ’15 and Katie Mandigo ’16 had two each.

Ugalde is hopeful that this fast start portends good things for the rest of the season.

“It’s still pretty early in the season so we still have things to improve on,” Ugalde said. “But I think our team has a lot of potential, and our quick start helps us show that.”

The Panthers opened the Panther/Cardinal Classic with a game against the Soaring Eagles of Elmira. The Panthers were looking to avenge last year’s loss in the NCAA final against Elmira, and found it with a 5-3 victory.

Middlebury took the early lead with a goal 11:41 into the first period from Bielawski on a power play, but Elmira soon responded with their own power play goal eight minutes later. The Soaring Eagles took the lead 13:21 into the second period with a 4-on-4 goal. The teams traded goals early on in the third period, but then Middlebury’s offense caught fire. Carly Watson ’17 earned her first career goal on a power play goal to tie the game 3-3 with less than four minutes remaining in the last period.  Middlebury then iced the contest with two goals in the last three minutes. Ugalde and Bielawski both netted goals to secure Middlebury’s vengeance over the Soaring Eagles.

Unfortunately, the Panthers could not keep their winning streak alive and dropped a game against top-ranked Plattsburgh 2-0 the next day. Plattsburgh has allowed only one goal against them in their first ten games. Middlebury’s Madeline Marsh ’16 played well with 19 saves, but Sydney Aveson of the Cardinals outplayed her with 21 saves. Middlebury threatened a few times, notably in the second period with a shot from Ugalde that hit the post behind the Plattsburgh goalie, but could not score.

Despite the loss, Joyce remains optimistic for the rest of the season and the team’s impending rematch against Plattsburgh scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 11.

“I think the loss against Plattsburgh will make us better,” Joyce said. “Playing top-notch teams outside of the NESCAC is always a good challenge.

Losing to a team like Plattsburgh early on in the season will push us to get better and work harder, so hopefully when we play them again there will be a different outcome.”

Middlebury looks ahead to a home game against Castleton State on Saturday, Dec. 7th.