Jan. 26, 2008

Box Score

Aston, Pa. -- The Neumann Knights scored their first goal on their third shot of the first period and never looked back as Neumann completed the weekend sweep of SUNY Cortland, 6-2.

Jessica Schroeder slipped a pass, through two Cortland Red Dragon defenders, to Carolyn Fauteux who in turn threaded the needle to freshman Nicki Blazenko on the door step at the 1:15 minute mark of the first period. 

A Schroeder behind-the-back-off- the-side-board pass to Fauteux, who made a remarkable pass, shredding two Cortland defenders to hit Robyn Armstrong for a rocket wrist shot from the top right of the faceoff circle in front of the Red Dragon bench scorched the back of the net to give the Knights a 2-0 lead on a power play goal over Cortland in the first period.

The first period was also highlighted by stellar defensive play by Chelsea Ward, Stephanie Nakamura, Kaitlin Hein, along with Armstrong. Mel Brunet was equal to the task by turning back five out of five shots she faced giving Neumann a 2-0 lead entering the first intermission.

The second period started much like the first. Samantha May cashed in on a one on one opportunity with the Cortland goalie. May's wrister over the stick side shoulder of the goalie was assisted by Robyn Armstrong at the 4:23 mark of the second period. The Red Dragons answered with their first goal of the game by Kalee Stoever. Stoever went high to beat a sprawled out Mel Brunet at the 10:15 mark of the second period.  Cortland's luck would subsequently run out then and there. The second period ended with Neumann College holding a 3-1 advantage.

With the end of the second intermission and the beginning of the third period, the Knights continued the offensive onslaught of the Cortland State Red Dragons. Samantha May returned to the scoring column when she corralled a loose puck in the neutral zone to take advantage of a two on one situation by gracefully tucking the puck into the upper right hand corner of the Cortland goal. The ring of the puck plucking of the metal pipe echoed throughout Ice Works Arena. Neumann College's offensive barrage continued moments later. Holly Williams took a precisely placed pass from Samantha May to give the Knights their second goal of the period and a 5-1 lead at the 10:22 mark. Jess Schroeder capped off the Knight's scoring. Schroeder successfully took full advantage of a loose puck behind the Cortland goal. Schroeder skillfully wrapped the puck around the goal and placing the puck off the opposing goaltender's skate for the goal.  The last goal of the game was scored by Cortland's Mallorie Maguire with one second remaining.  However, it was not enough to avoid the weekend sweep.

With an all around game played by both the offense and the defense the Knight's advance their record to 6-3-1 in the ECAC West and 9-5-3 overall for the season.

After the game Head Coach Matthew Kennedy remarked, "It's good to come take four huge points (in conference play) for the weekend. Our team goal was to be undefeated in the month of January. Accomplishing our goal is good motivation for the team."