MIDDLEBURY, VT – Women's hockey loses an overtime thriller against the number one team in the nation Friday night, as they were defeated by #1 Middlebury 1-0. The Cardinals held on to a 0-0 tie through the first three periods despite being outshot 41-11 in regulation. Overtime saw even more Panthers' shots, as they outshot the Cardinals 7-1. Madie Leidt put through that seventh overtime shot to give the Panthers a 1-0 win.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Middlebury tested Rei Halloran '23 early and often. They managed two shots in the first 60 seconds of the game, and finished with 16 for the 1st period. Wesleyan might have gotten their best chance in the 1st, when a high sticking call gave them a two-minute power play five minutes into the game. The Cardinals recorded three shots, with two from Effie Tournas '25 and one from Mairead Kennedy '24
- The 2nd period saw the Cardinals on the defensive end again. Halloran made a ridiculous 17 saves in 20 minutes, turning away multiple Panthers scoring opportunities. Middlebury had two power plays in the period where they produced 10 total shots. The defense held strong, with Jenna Stevens '24 and Ally Detre '22 blocking three shots each
- The 3rd period saw much fewer shots for both teams, as they combined for only 11 total in what was supposed to be the final 20 minutes. Both teams had late powerplay opportunities but they stalled. Middlebury produced three of their eight shots of the final powerplay while Wesleyan went shotless
- Middlebury began overtime with a shot by Leidt that was turned away by Halloran. Wesleyan responded with two shots that were both turned away by the Panthers. After four more shots by Middlebury, they were finally able to put one through. Leidt beat Halloran for the first time on the day as the #1 Panthers survive against the Cardinals, 1-0 OT
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
WHAT'S NEXT:
Wesleyan will play their second game in as many days against the #1 ranked Middlebury Panthers in Vermont Saturday afternoon at 3 PM.
