MIDDLETOWN, CT- The 8^th seeded women's hockey team had their season come to an end in the first round of the NESCAC Tournament Friday night, as they fell to 9^th seeded Connecticut College by a score of 3-2 in double overtime. After going down early in the 1^st period, Wesleyan stormed back with two straight goals to hold a 2-1 advantage just two minutes into the 2^nd period. The score would remain deadlocked at two until the final minute of regulation when Connecticut College, who had pulled their goalie and were on a powerplay (6 on 4), scored the equalizer with 56 seconds remaining.

The game would head to overtime tied at two. The home crowd stayed loud for the entirety of the nearly two full overtime periods, but the Cardinals could not put through the deciding goal. The Camels eventually capitalized on a Cardinals turnover in their own zone to end the 3+ hour long contest at Spurrier-Snyder Rink. Wesleyan finishes the 2021-22 season 8-13-1, with their eight wins tying for the most in Jodi Mckenna's 14 years at the helm. 9^th seeded Connecticut College will advance to the NESCAC Tournament Quarterfinals where they will take on No.1 seed Middlebury.
 
HIGHLIGHTS:

• Connecticut College got on the board early in the 1^st period with a hard slap shot from Kiley Smith. After her initial shot was blocked in front by her own teammate, it was then given back to her for another slap shot that beat Rei Halloran '23 over her left shoulder to take a 1-0 lead
• Despite being drastically outshot in the 1^st period (14-6 SOG), Wesleyan was able to find a way to head into the first intermission tied at one. Cali Stevens '22 found Sam DeLeo '25 who used her blazing speed to beat her defender along the boards creating a two on one opportunity. She then crossed the puck to Effie Tournas '25 who made a quick move to beat the goalie evening the score at one apiece
• Wesleyan opened up the 2^nd period with a quick goal just two minutes in to give them their first lead of the night. Chiara Christie '23 took the puck into the attacking zone and dropped it off to Brooke Keough '23 who ripped a shot on net. Caroline Jenkins '23 was there in front to redirect it in and the trio of juniors gave the Cardinals a 2-1 lead
• Conn. College went on their first power play of the night later in the period and nearly immediately capitalized as Kiley Smith's shot ricocheted off the right post keeping thr game at 2-1 heading into the 3^rd period
• Wesleyan looked like they were going to hang on for a 2-1 victory as the timer ticked below three minutes left in the 3^rd. However, Connecticut College pulled their goalie for the final two minutes creating a five on four. Seconds later Wesleyan was called for a late penalty, creating a six on four chance for the Camels in the final minute. They took little time to capitalize, scoring off a rebound with just 48 ticks left to send the game into overtime
• The first overtime had little action, with Wesleyan's best scoring chance coming off a slapshot from Jenkins from close range that got blocked out in front
• The 2^nd overtime had a few scoring opportunities for both teams. The Cardinals best chance came when Bridget Cornell '23 stole a pass in the neutral zone and proceeded to put on a series of spectacular moves on two Camels' defenders before dishing off to Jenna Rekoske '24 who missed just wide from right in front of the net
• The Camels later put through the deciding goal nine minutes into the 2^nd OT. They intercepted the puck in the attacking zone creating a breakaway opportunity. Bridget Cornell made a incredible diving play to break up the initial shot, but the Camels followed it up to end the game at 3-2

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Effie Tournas ends her spectacular freshman season with another goal for a total of nine on the year (top 10 NESCAC)
• Caroline Jenkins ends the season the same way she started it, with a goal. Her only two goals of the season
• Rei Halloran made 42 saves in the double OT thriller, her 2^nd 40+ save game of the season
• Jenna Stevens finishes with one blocked shot, her 24^th on the season (top 5 NESCAC)