By D.F. Pendrys

MIDDLETOWN, CT – Wesleyan’s Women’s Hockey squad defeated Salve Regina 2-0 Sunday night at Spurrier-Snyder Rink thanks to two first period goals and a strong penalty kill. At the 13:00 mark Rachel Ziff launched a slap shot from the point past the netminder to put the Cardinals up 1-0 assisted by Brigitte Goeler-Slough, and Bridget Cornell. A few minutes later at 15:32 Audrey McMahon put in a second chancer after a shot had bounced to her on the other side of the net and Wesleyan had their final goal and the 2-0 advantage. McMahon was assisted by Cornell and Effie Tournas.

Wesleyan was able to hold onto the win despite conceding six penalties to Salve Regina’s three. Salve did get their chances though were especially dangerous in a late power play in the third period generating four shots, but the Cardinals held firm. Overall Wesleyan goaltender Rei Halloran made 19 saves for the shutout. Halloran’s counterpart, Madison Jalbert made 25 saves on the night.

The flow of the game was a back and forth affair, Wesleyan had plenty of chances, though so did Salve Regina. There was no dominance from either side in the game or in the individual periods. Wesleyan might have had the edge at even strength but Salve gained one through Wesleyan’s numerous penalties. But in the end the scoreboard favored the Cardinals.

Defensively, Jenna Stevens had 4 blocks to lead Wesleyan, Ally Detre had 2, and Brooke Keough, Cornell, Chiara Christie, and Ziff had one apiece. For Salve Regina, Caroline Cadelina had 3, Emma Breen and Emma Periera had 2 each, while Celia Palzkill, Maddie Cox, Grace Schwartz, Brynn Mendes, Paige Stapleton, and Dakota McMahon had 1 each.

Coach Jodi McKenna’s Wesleyan team is now 5-0-0 while Coach David Lun’s Salve Regina contingent drops to 1-7-0.