Women's Ice Hockey Falls to Niagara, 7-1
November 04, 2001 | Women's Hockey
Nov. 4, 2001
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass.-The Boston College women's ice hockey team lost, 7-1, to Niagara on Sunday, in the final match of a two-game series at Kelley Rink. Junior right wing Thia Connolly scored the Eagles' lone goal and freshman netminder Lisa Davis tied a career high with 36 saves, despite playing only two and a half periods. With the loss, BC drops to 1-3 overall and 0-3 in the ECAC. Niagara improves to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the ECAC.
Having played a tough match less than 24 hours earlier, both teams started the match tentatively. Boston College looked the more drained of the two sides and it showed in their play early. It took the visitors only 1:14 to open the scoring, as junior Melissa Hamilton skated through the Eagles' defense and backhanded a shot past Davis to give Niagara the early lead.
BC tightened up defensively for most of the first period, but two late Niagara rushes resulted in goals. At 17:56, sophomore Lindsay Vine received a pass from freshman Teresa Del Monte and fired it five-hole on the BC goalie. Less than two minutes later, Niagara would open up a three-goal cushion when senior defense Gretel Reid fired a rebound off a Jennifer Goulet shot into the back of the net. The score after one period was 3-0 in favor of Niagara
Niagara came out strong in the second period and quickly added to their lead. At 3:46, Candice Ceelen scored the first of her two goals on the afternoon, taking a feed from Valerie Hall and snapping a shot over the shoulder of Davis. Less than five minutes later, Niagara made another rush that paid off as Sara Puryear took a Hamilton pass and slipped it under the pads of the Boston College goalie.
Boston College would find their legs as the second period progressed and finally broke the Niagara shutout bid at 13:42, when Thia Connolly fired a shot past Niagara back-up goalie Jennifer Mascaro. Kelly McManus was credited with the lone assist on the play.
That was all the offense BC could muster on this day and two third period goals from Niagara, one from Linda Groff and the second for Ceelen closed out the match.
Final shots were 48 to 15 in favor of Niagara. In net, Niagara goaltender Tania Penelli stopped all nine shots she faced to earn the victory and backup Mascaro stopped 5 of 6 shots she faced. For the Eagles, Davis made 36 saves on 41 shots and was replaced by Heather Cohen, who saved 5 of 7.
Boston College returns to action on Wednesday, November 7 against #8 New Hampshire at Kelley Rink for a 7 p.m. game.
1 2 3 F Boston College (1-3-0) 0 1 0 1 Niagara (5-1-0) 3 2 2 7Shots: BC, 15, Niagara 48. Saves: BC, Davis 36, Niagara, Pinelli 9.
