MANCHESTER, NH - Upset-minded Williams put a scare into a red hot Manhattanville team this afternoon in a game played at St. Anselm College, before falling 3-1.
Williams (1-7-1/1-3-1 NESCAC) took a 1-0 first period lead on a Manhattanville (9-1-0) team that is entered the contest averaging six goals a game and riding a seven-game win streak.
“I thought we played pretty well the whole weekend,” said Eph head coach Shannon Bryant. “The good thing is in both games we went out and got the first goal, which is something we talked about before we headed out on break.”
Eph senior Sam Tarnasky opened the scoring in the contest at 15:48 pf the first period when she scored off of feeds by Allison Page and Sarah Herr on a power play opportunity. The goal was Tarnasky’s second of the year and it was the second straight game she has scored in.
Williams held the 1-0 lead at the first break.
The Valiants of Manhattanville stepped up their offensive attack in the second period and fired 17 shots on Eph goalie Sara Plunkett.
Alex Findlay drew Manhattanville even at 8:12 of the period off a setup by Monique Rafferty. The Valiants then slotted home the eventual game-winner just 18 seconds later when Shannon Coffey tallied off of passes from Jackie Solomito and Brianne Alfred.
“We had a little breakdown there, but we fought through it and we created some good opportunities the rest of the way,” noted Bryant. “Finishing is a confidence thing and once we start putting the puck in the back of the net good things will happen.”
At then end of two periods the Valiants led the Ephs 2-1.
The final goal of the game came with just one second left to play in the third period as Manhattanville’s Sarah Fullerton notched an unassisted goal.
Manhattanville had a decisive advantage in shots on the day with 35 to the Ephs’ 18. Eph netminder Sara Plunkett made 32 saves and the Valiants Karine Turmel turned aside 17 Eph attempts in collecting the win.
“Sara Plunkett played well in goal for us and she made some good, key saves when we needed them,” said Bryant. “I really believe this game could have gone either way… we just need to get some wins to get going.”
The next opportunity for the Ephs to get back on track is Tuesday night at home at 7:00 PM vs. Castletonn State in a non-conference game.
