Women’s Hockey Splits With Falcons

NEW HAVEN, CT. – On Friday, January 12th and Saturday, January 13th the Anna Maria College women's hockey team had a home and home with the Albertus Magnus Falcons. The AMCATS lost game one 4-2 and won game two 4-2.

GAME 1: The AMCATS opened up the weekend by hosting the Falcons at the Buffone Arena on Friday night. The game didn't open up in favor of the AMCATS after the Falcons managed to score off their first two shots of the game. The goals came from Molly Martin and Gabriella Dellacroce. Trailing 2-0 just five minutes into the period, the AMCATS made a goalie change taking out Gabrielle Gibson and putting in Sam Dahill. With the goalie change, the AMCATS changed the momentum of the game eventually outshooting the Falcons. However late in the third period, the Falcons found their third goal of the night as Kayla Clark scored with the help of Tori Walsh and Kaitlyn Cunningham. The first period would close with the Falcons leading 3-0 over the AMCATS. 

The second period would be a back and forth as the AMCATS fought hard for their first goal of the night. Thankfully just under halfway through the period, the AMCATS were able to break their silence as Tessa Henry buried the AMCATS first goal of the game off the power play. With the Falcons lead cut down to 2, the AMCATS put even more pressure on the Albertus defense in an attempt to tie the game up. 

Still trailing 3-1 at the start of the third period, the AMCATS kept the pressure on to start the third period however it would be the Falcons that ended up on the board next as Molly Martin scored her second goal of the night just seconds after the AMCATS killed off a two minute penalty. Anna Maria responded quick however as a shot from Tessa Henry set up Samantha Rodriguez for the AMCATS second goal of the night on the power play making it a 4-2 game with just under nine minutes left to play. With numerous powerplay opportunities the AMCATS couldn't find the back of the net again resulting in a 4-2 loss to start the weekend.

GAME 2: After a tough start to the weekend, the AMCATS were back in action on Saturday where they made their way down to New Haven, CT to take on the Falcons for game two of their home and home. Unlike the night before, the AMCATS were the first on the board as a late goal from Julia Ballinger gave the AMCATS a 1-0 lead as the third period came to a close. The goal was assisted by Shayla Macdonald and Jordyn Bleaney.

Leading 1-0 at the start of second period, the AMCATS kept the momentum going as Jordyn Bleaney scored just fifty second into the period to increase their lead to two. With the AMCATS leading 2-0, the Falcons turned things up as they outshot Anna Maria 18-12. Sam Dahill stopped 17 of the 18 shots faced in the second period as the Falcons managed to score with just five minutes left in the period off the stick of Kayla Clark. 

Still leading 2-1 at the start of the third period, the AMCATS took back control of the game as they out shot the Falcons 14-4. After ten minutes played in the third period, Kourtney Mielke tacked on the AMCATS third goal with the help of Ceili Nolan. Not done fighting, the Falcons managed to get their second goal of the night just four minutes later when Molly Martin scored her third goal of the weekend cutting the AMCATS lead in half. Two minutes later, Ceili Nolan gave the AMCATS some insurance scoring the fourth goal of the night with the help of August Otto and Chloe Becher. The AMCATS ended the game with a 4-2 win over the Falcons, mirroring their outcome from the night before.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Sam Dahill stopped 57 shots over the two game weekend (Game 1: 34; Game 2: 23)
• Jordyn Bleaney and Tessa Henry lead the AMCATS in points with 10 points each.
• Dahill has made 572 saves so far this season, putting her 12 saves away from 1500 throughout her career.
• The AMCATS are 1-1-1 against the Falcons so far this season.

WHAT'S NEXT: 

The AMCATS will be back in action on Friday, January 19th as they make their way to Buffalo, NY to take on the Hilbert College Hawks. Opening puck drop is set for 8:00pm.

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