Women’s Hockey Gets a Win, Tie and Loss in Opening Week

The women’s hockey team emerged from their opening week with a 1-1-1 record (0-1-1 NESCAC) following action that took place over Thanksgiving break.

The team opened their season with three games in five days, consisting of a two game homestand against Connecticut College, followed by a trip to New England College. Amherst last faced Conn. College in the NESCAC Semifinals, where the Mammoths emerged with a 3-1 victory.

The season opener against Conn. College on Nov. 16 played out to a 2-2 draw. Amherst jumped out to an early 1-0 lead thanks to an unassisted goal by Jocelyn Hunyadi ’19 just 1:46 into the contest.

That lead was lost in the second period after a goal by Conn. College’s Sammi Estes, and was finally recaptured in the third period following a goal by Jamie McNamara ’19.

Unfortunately, that 2-1 lead was spoiled with less than five minutes left in the game off of a goal by Conn. College’s Jordan Cross to force an overtime which yielded no victor.

Despite Amherst being outshot 35-18 over the course of the game, Caitlin Walker ’22 made an impressive debut, notching 33 saves.

The following night, the team wouldn’t fare quiate as well, when it fell to Conn. College, 2-1. Amherst dug themselves into a hole early, following goals by Conn. College’s Jordan Cross and Erin Dillon in the first and second periods, respectively.

Kaitlin Hoang ’21 scored with 15:11 left in the third period on a power play opportunity, but the last surge wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit.

Amherst finally bounced back and notched their first victory of the season with a decisive 3-1 victory against out-of-conference opponent New England College. New England College’s Erica Lissner gave the home team an early advantage with a goal 15 seconds into the game.

Amherst answered quickly following a goal by Katelyn Pantera ’19 just three minutes later.

After a 1-1 close to the first period, Amherst took a commanding 3-1 lead following a pair of goals by Hunyadi. McNamara, Stephanie Nomicos ’22 and Pantera all earned assists, while Caroline Booraem ’20 notched 10 saves in the victory.

The women’s hockey team hopes to keep riding the positive momentum from their win against New England College into this weekend, where they will host Trinity College (1-2-0, 0-2-0) for two games.