Feb. 4, 2006
Courtesy: Katie Kletzel, Neumann College Sports Information -
In a quest for solid positioning in the ECAC West Conference, the Neumann Knights (12-7-2, 6-3-1 ECAC) hosted the Red Dragons of SUNY Cortland (4-13-1, 0-8 ECAC) in women's ice hockey action Saturday afternoon.
The Knights entered into today's match-up after earning a win against SUNY Cortland on Friday night. In this afternoons match up, Neumann took the lead 6:07 into the first period. Kaitlin Hein (Soph., Def) scored off a pass from in front of the net from Bianca DeSantis (Fr., Fwd.). Hein's goal was scored on a shot that went right threw the goalie's five hole. Twelve minutes later SUNY Cortland answered back with a goal scored by Judy Ellis (Jr., Fwd.) who was assisted by teammates Heather Crowley (Fresh, Fwd.) and Lindsay Weinstein (Jr., Def.). Teresa White put up a good fight in the net for Neumann, but was defeated by a number of shots taken by a slew of Red Dragons. The Knights would not settle for a tie ending the first period. At 19:46 Carly Fitzsimmons (Fresh, Fwd.) took a shot that bounced off the pad of SUNY Cortland's goalie. Janelle Marier (Fresh, Fwd) followed up with the rebound, taking the puck to the hole making the score 2-1 in Neumann's favor to end the first period.
Action in the second period began instantaneously. On the first shot of the second period, just 40 seconds in, Heather Crowley (Fresh, Fwd.) scored for the Red Dragons. Teammate, Lindsay Weinstein is credited for the assist. At 4:08, Neumann's captain, Lindsay Parsons, was penalized two minutes for roughing. Just 23 seconds later SUNY Cortland's Janie Byrd (Soph., Def.) scored high on the goalies glove side off an assist from Lindsay Weinstein (Jr., Def.) on the power play advantage. After Lindsay Weinstein scored Cortland's fourth goal, a change in goalies for Neumann occurred and Lauren Voran took to the ice for the Knights at 10:58 in the second period with the Red Dragons in the lead 4-2. "Voran came in and stepped it up, she played tough and kept us in it when we looked like we were out of it," commented Head Coach Phil Bateman. At 13:36 Cortland's Lindsay Weinstein was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, giving Neumann the power play opportunity. Neumann took advantage of SUNY Cortland's disadvantage. At 14:04, Carly Fitzsimmons tapped in a pass coming from across the net sent by Vicki Scott (Fresh, Def.) which put the Knights right back in the game. Neumann was not finished and would not settle for being behind. At 18:06 Jessica McAllister took a pass in front of the net from Nicole Holman (Fresh, Def.). McAllister backhanded a shot up over the goalies glove side and scored, tying the game 4-4. This would mark Holman's first ever collegiate point as a Knight.
The third period was very exciting and kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Cortland's Heather Crowley knocked in a shot off the top left post, putting them back on top with the lead at 8:37. The Goal was assisted by Dani Blanchard (Sr., Fwd.). Carolyn Fauteux responded by scoring on the third shot taken all at once on the Red Dragon's goalie. Fauteux's goal adds assists to Jessica Lister (Fresh., Fwd.) and Bianca DeSantis (Fresh., Fwd.) and ties the game up at five a piece. The 12:01 mark of the third period gave Neumann the final push. Sam May, scored Neumann's final goal of the night and ended the game in Neumann's favor 6-5.
"Our defense played very well; overall I am very happy with how the women are coming of age and starting to mature. They are really showing a sense of resiliency and are coming together nicely. Today's game secures a playoff spot for us and will set the course for the rest of the season."
The Knights return to the ice at home on Friday February 10th at 7:00 facing Elmira College.
