Williams 3, Utica 1 - Box Score

WILLIAMSTOWN, MA—Freshman forward Louise Steele-Norton (Avondale, PA/Millbrook School) netted her first collegiate goal and sophomore Brittany DelleChiaie (Leominster, MA/The Winchendon School) added an assist but it was not enough as host Williams College downed the Pioneers 3-1 Sunday afternoon.

Utica (3-6, 1-5 ECAC West) has now lost three straight for the second time in seven games headed into a non-conference matchup with local rival Hamilton College Tuesday night at 7 p.m.

Three goals from three different players helped the Ephs to their second win of the season, as Williams downed the Pioneers for the first time in their last six tries.  Utica goalie Jennifer Hamel (Ithaca, NY/Northwood School) stopped a game-high 26 shots in her third loss of the season.

For the second straight game, the Ephs got on the board first. Sophomore forward Cristina Bravi picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone, then skated it up the right boards for a 2-on-1 with Kristen Tubbs. After drawing the Pioneer defender, Bravi slid a pass across to Tubbs, who ripped a high shot just under the crossbar to put Williams up 1-0 with 13:24 left to play in the first.

Less than two minutes later, Utica recorded their best scoring opportunity of the period. A Pioneer tested Eph netminder Rachel Nguyen from close range, who deflected the initial shot back into the slot. Utica kept the puck in the crease, resulting in a pileup of Williams defenders and Pioneer forwards, but the Ephs were somehow able to keep the puck out of the net.

A few penalties on the Ephs and Pioneers gave each team several power-play opportunities, but solid defending by both squads kept the remainder of the period scoreless. Williams had a brief 5-on-3 advantage toward the end of the frame, but Hamel and Utica managed to deny the Ephs' opportunities.

A back-and-forth battle in the middle frame gave both teams good scoring chances. The Ephs outshot the Pioneers 10-3, but the lack of penalties on either team meant even strength throughout the period.

The second period remained scoreless until Gabrielle Vukasin upped the Ephs' lead to 2-0 with 3:40 remaining. On a botched Utica breakout, the puck slid loose into the slot, where it was picked up by Vukasin. The sophomore forward carried the puck in closer for a 1-on-1 with Hamel, then wristed a high shot over Hamel's shoulder.

The final frame featured strong play from both teams, with each squad recording a goal. Utica got on the board late in the game, taking advantage of an Eph penalty. With 4:35 remaining in the contest, Steele-Norton weaved around two Williams' defenders and wristed a high shot over the stick-side shoulder of Nguyen.

With 1:03 remaining, the Ephs retaliated to finalize the score at 3-1. Bravi notched her team-leading third goal of the season, capitalizing on a Williams' power-play. The defensive pair of Sarah Herr and Sam Weinstein worked the puck around the point until Weinstein was able to find an opening in the Utica defense and fed a pass in to Bravi. Bravi walked in the puck, then found daylight around a Pioneer defender to send home a high wrist shot.

Nguyen finished with 17 saves and earned her second win of the season in net for the Ephs.

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