Despite excellent team play throughout the entire game, the women's ice hockey team was unable to pull off a win last night in its first home game since winter break, sending Northeastern home with a 3-1 victory.
The Huskies arrived in Thompson Arena last night with an 8-1-4 record. Their only loss was to University of New Hampshire, who Dartmouth beat 2-0 last November.
The first period was uneventful. The teams appeared evenly matched, each spending equal time in the other's end of the rink. Dartmouth had many shots but couldn't connect with the net.
With 30 seconds left in the first period it looked as if Dartmouth might take the lead with a breakaway by left-wing Captain Rachel Rochat '95 and a follow-up by right-wing Sarah Devens '96 but Northeastern's goalie Kim Flatt managed to block both shots.
While Dartmouth may have dominated the first period, they were unable to score, and the period ended with no score.
Eight minutes into the second period, Northeastern's Keri-Anne Allen passed the puck to Emily Pemrick who slid it past Dartmouth goalie Sarah Tueting '98.
Only 45 seconds after Northeastern's goal, the Big Green came back strong. Devens fed the puck from behind the net to center Sarah Howald '96.
Howald, in turn, placed the puck in the net.
The Huskies came out strong in the third period. Less than two minutes into the period, Northeastern's Danyel Howard assisted Jessica Wagner on a goal, raising the score to 2-1.
Four minutes later the Huskie's Captain Caroline Heatley scored on assists from Wagner and Howard.
Dartmouth had several other opportunities to score. With 6:40 left in the second period, Devens centered the puck in front of the net but no one was able to pick it up.
Another opportunity for the Big Green came about five minutes into the third period when Devens repeated this act. Rochat was waiting and managed to get her stick on it but could not redirect the shot enough to score.
Dartmouth also had two man-down chances to score. With nine minutes left in the game, Wagner went to the penalty box for hooking, giving Dartmouth two minutes with the advantage.
Four minutes later, Pemrick was in the penalty box for interference. Unfortunately, Dartmouth could not connect with the goal during these times.
"We had a lot of opportunities to score," Rochat said. "We just never got the breaks. We've definitely been having scoring problems. It's frustrating."
With less than three minutes left, Dartmouth pulled their goalie for one last chance at scoring. The game ended with a score of 3-1 for Northeastern.
"It was a matter of breaks. We missed two or three that could have helped," Head Coach George Crowe said.
Despite the loss, the team remains optimistic about their play. "We should have won. The first period was the best we've ever played," Rochat said.
"It was one of the first times we played as a team. It was fun to play," Devens said.
The team will now hit the road for its next two games, traveling to Cornell this Friday and to St. Lawrence this Saturday.
