GENEVA, N.Y. - The Neumann University women's ice hockey team opened a two-game weekend series at William Smith College with a 2-2 tie versus the Herons in Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) West action.
 
Neumann received goals from Kelly Fox and Jackie Schneider on the afternoon. Senior forward Grace Klienbach also chipped in with two assists. Helen Cooney was sensational in net, making 57 saves on 59 shots in the tie.
 
The game would not start as planned for the Knights, as William Smith would open the scoring just over four minutes into the contest. The Herons would control play early in the period, but Neumann would find an answer at the 9:03 mark of the frame. Fox would find the back of the net off assists from Klienbach and Bek Lucas to knot the game up at 1-1. The game would head to the first intermission at the same score, with the Herons holding a 15-8 edge in shots.
 
The bulk of second period would be played in the Neumann end. Four Knight penalties resulted in numerous quality opportunities for William Smith, but Cooney had an answer for every one of them. The freshman net-minder stood on her head the entire period, thwarting every attack that came her way. Despite a 20-7 Heron advantage in shots in the period, the game would remain tied headed to the third.
 
The deadlock would finally be broken four minutes into the final period, as a power play goal by William Smith would give the Herons a 2-1 lead. Neumann would not quit though, and found an equalizer midway through the period on a power play of their own. Schneider would tip home a Sammy Patrick shot from the point to bring the teams level again at 2-2. William Smith would generate several late chances in regulation, but Cooney stood tall to send the game to overtime.
 
The extra session would see William Smith outshoot the Knights by a count of 5-1, but again Cooney had all the answers. Neither team would light the lamp in overtime and they would both skate away with one point added to the ECAC West Standings.
 
Neumann (6-10-2, 2-7-2 ECAC West) is right back in action tomorrow afternoon for a rematch against William Smith. Puck-drop is scheduled for 4:00 PM.