ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University women's ice hockey team dropped a heart-breaker on Saturday afternoon, falling to No. 8/9 Oswego State by a score of 3-2.
The Knights received outstanding offensive performances from
Grace Klienbach and
Bek Lucas, who both registered two points each. Klienbach scored both goals for Neumann, each of which were assisted by Lucas. Freshman net-minder
Helen Cooney was also phenomenal in goal in the loss, notching 59 saves on 62 Oswego State shots.
After being shutout last night by the Lakers, Neumann would waste no time getting on the board in this game. Just 29 seconds after the game's opening whistle, Lucas found a streaking Klienbach, who rifled a shot past the Oswego State goaltender to give the Knights the early 1-0 lead. Neumann would use its early momentum to control play for the first half of the period, but the Lakers would start to take over the territorial advantage in the second half of the frame. Much like last night, the Knights had trouble staying out of the box, committing six first period penalties that would lead to 18 first period shots for Oswego State. Cooney stood tall in goal though, stopping every Lakers shot she faced in the period to help the Knights keep a 1-0 lead after one.
Neumann's lead would be short-lived though, as the Lakers would tie the game up on a power-play goal just over a minute into the second stanza. The period would be played mostly in the Neumann end, but the Knights would capitalize on the few chances they did create. Midway through the period, the dynamic duo of Klienbach and Lucas struck again. After winning a puck battle in her own end, Lucas made a perfect saucer pass to Klienbach in behind the Lakers defense for a breakway. The senior forward would make no mistake, firing the puck through the Oswego State goalie's five-hole to give the Knights a 2-1 lead. Despite being outshot by a count of 23-8 in the period, Neumann would head to the third period clinging to a one goal lead.
In the third and final period, the Lakers would throw everything they had at the Knights. Oswego State's relentless early third period pressure would force Neumann into its eighth penalty of the game. Much like last night, the penalty would come back to haunt the Knights. The Lakers would score on the power play to knot the game up at 2-2 with just under 16 minutes left to play. Both teams had golden opportunities to take the lead throughout the third period, but the game would remain tied until the final minutes. Despite a valiant defensive effort by Neumann in the third stanza and some sensational goaltending from Cooney to keep the game tied, the Lakers would score the game-winning goal with just a minute and 20 seconds remaining to play. The Knights would pull Cooney for an extra attacker with 40 seconds remaining, but could not find an equalizer, falling to the Lakers by a score of 3-2.
Prior to the game, the Knights honored retiring Neumann University president Dr. Rosalie Mirenda and Neumann's Ambassador Tony Mirenda with a ceremonial puck-drop. The team thanked Dr. Mirenda and her husband for their 21 years of service to Neumann University and for their support over the years for the women's hockey program.
Neumann (6-10-1, 2-7-1 ECAC West) is back on the ice next weekend for a pair of ECAC West road games at William Smith College. Puck-drop on Friday afternoon is scheduled for 4:00 PM.
