By: Amanda Devaney, News Correspondent
The women’s hockey team had a successful weekend, winning both its games against Robert Morris University (RMU), the first 6-4 and the second, 4-3.
“We took advantage of their mistakes and seized the opportunities they gave us” head coach Dave Flint said.
Junior goaltender Florence Schelling said the second game was especially thrilling as it was played in the Consol Energy Center, where the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins play.
“It was particularly exciting to play because it was in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ arena,” Schelling said. “Although, it was different dimension-wise, so we had to get used to it at first. But overall I thought we adapted as a team and we ended up playing very well.”
The game began with a fast pace when junior defenseman Stephanie Gavronsky scored the first goal just 3:01 into the first period. However, the lead was short-lived as RMU responded with a goal of its own about a minute later. Forward Cobina Delaney lit the lamp for the Colonials, and her older sister and forward Brianna provided the assist.
The Huskies ended the first period with senior forward Lori Antflick’s goal, pulling ahead 2-1 and moving into the second period with a confident rhythm.
“We played better defensively this game compared to our first game against Robert Morris on the day before,” Flint said. “I liked what we did offensively; overall, we did much better this game.”
After the first intermission, RMU knotted the score at 2-2 when forward Whitney Pappas scored her first goal of the season. The Huskies bit back, scoring two unanswered goals in the the last three minutes of the period. Sophomore forward Rachel Llanes added her third goal of the season with 2:07 left on the clock, and senior forward Alyssa Wohlfeiler scored with just one second left.
Despite Robert Morris’ power play goal at the end of the third period, the Huskies preserved the lead and won 4-3.
The Huskies’ first game against Robert Morris Oct. 16 ended with another victory, this time by a score of 6-4.
Freshman forward Katie Macsorley contributed to the final tally, scoring two goals. MacSorely leads the team with four goals on the season and a total of five points.
Fellow freshman forward Claire Santostefano revealed her quick attentiveness by scoring a shorthanded goal less than two minutes into the first period, assisted by sophomore forward Brittany Esposito.
“We were short-handed and I had just gotten off the bench,” Santostefano said. “It was my first shift of the game and I got the puck from Brittany Esposito and I just took a couple strides and snapped a quick shot at the goalies far left side; that was pretty exciting for my first career goal.”
Before being recruited to play for Northeastern University, Santostefano played for Chicago Mission, a Tier 1 amateur hockey team.
“Last year was really intense, playing for the Chicago Mission, so that prepared me for the university level,” Santostefano said. “Coming in, I didn’t really know how to fit in with everyone else, but now that we are a month into the season I feel like I’ve adapted pretty well. It definitely was an adjustment, and I was nervous at first, but it’s completely fine now and I love everyone on the team.”
Schelling said Santostefano and the other freshmen are transitioning well into collegiate hockey.
“I remember my freshman year and it took me a while to adjust to everything,” Schelling said. “I feel like the freshmen this year are adjusting quickly; its pretty impressive.”
The Huskies are scheduled to play this tomorrow against Princeton at Matthews Arena.
“I think we are prepared for our first home game” Flint said. “We’ve had five tough road games so we are excited to finally be playing on home turf. Princeton will be a good test, they are a well-coached team.”
