Two goals from two different Ephs - Sam Weinstein and Gabby Vukasin – proved enough to tip the visiting Ephs past the host team. Williams split the NESCAC series against the Mules with this victory, which offset last night's 4-1 loss.

 

A battle from the start, neither team found the back of the net in the first period. The Ephs and the Mules both provided solid play on both ends of the ice, neither team establishing offensive dominance.  A cluster of penalties coming from both sides in the final six minutes of play opened up brief chances, including a man-up opportunity for Colby at the 18:25 mark.

 

The Ephs wasted no time finding their offensive groove headed into the middle frame, as they recorded back-to-back goals coming within a minute of each other.The pairing of Andree Heller and Natalie Bernstein set up senior teammate Weinstein to give the Ephs a 1-0 edge.

 

They took their lead and ran with it, tacking on another goal at the 2:26 mark. Vukasin, aided by Weinstein and Gwen Schultz, notched Williams' second goal of the game. The quick succession of goals remained unanswered for the rest of the period.

 

While the Mules were unable to get on the scoreboard in the middle stanza, several Eph penalties opened up scoring chances for the home time. Plagued by penalties throughout the afternoon, three of Williams' eight penalties came during the second period, allowing Colby to get off 12 shots on goal. Several saves from Chloe Billadeau and the Eph penalty-kill unit prevented Colby from capitalizing and cutting Williams 2-0 lead. 

 

On the other end of the ice, junior goaltender Brianna Wheeler was tested five times in the middle 20 minutes, but only managed to save three of the shots on goal.

 

Headed into the third frame, the Williams defense remained impenetrable up until the 12:22 mark when the Mules tacked on a goal. Annie Papadellis of Colby tried to generate a comeback with her tally, putting the home team within one of tying up the contest. Natalie Fischer recorded the assist on the play.

 

The Ephs did a good job of stunting the comeback however.  A timeout called by Colby late in the third and the decision to pull Wheeler with a minute remaining was not enough to send the contest into overtime.

 

The Ephs will look to improve their record (7-8-0) once again with a home game against Castleton on Tuesday night and two more next weekend against Bowdoin.  Gametime Tuesday is scheduled for 7 p.m.