MIDDLETOWN, CT. – The Wesleyan women's hockey team started 2023 on a good note, with a thrilling overtime victory over NESCAC opponent Connecticut College, 2-1. Despite being outshot 41-19, the Cardinals were able to hang on in regulation and force overtime. In the three-on-three extra period the Cardinals immediately went on the attack, capitalizing on a four-on-three powerplay opportunity to win their first game of the new year. The game-winner was put through by Christina Tournas '25 helping the Cardinals win their final non-conference game before they head into NESCAC play. Wesleyan improves to 7-1-1 with the victory while Connecticut College drops to 5-2.

The two teams faced off to begin the season in a two-game series that saw the two teams split. The games were categorized as NESCAC games unlike the one today. Connecticut College took the first game 2-0, the two goals allowed still stand as the most Wesleyan and Rei Halloran '23 have allowed in a game so far. That opening-season loss is the only defeat the Cardinals have had in nine games. The Cardinals bounced back in the second game of the season, handing the Camels their first loss of 2022-23 in shutout fashion, 1-0. Overall, Wesleyan holds the series lead with a record of 38-29-5 including Monday afternoon's victory.

The first period started out slow, with both teams feeling each other out after a three-week layoff. A very cleanly played first period of action saw very few whistles, with no penalties and only a handful of faceoffs. Over the first 10 minutes of the period, Wesleyan and Connecticut College both managed three shots each. Over the final 10 minutes of the period the Camels offense came alive, putting together nine shots to Wesleyan's one. Halloran turned them all away go into the second period deadlocked at zero.
 
The Cardinals opened up the second period with an immediate scoring chance. Rachel Ziff '23 took a slapshot from the blue line that deflected into the slot where Effie Tournas '25 was waiting to put the Cardinals up 1-0 less than two minutes in. The Camels answered right back a minute later, recording five shots on goal with the final one sneaking past the Cardinals' goalie to even the score at one. Caroline O'Keefe was the goal scorer for Connecticut College, as she followed a shot and cashed in on the rebound from point-blank range. The Wesleyan defense was under siege over the final 15 minutes of the period, but managed to kill two power play chances, and turn away 19 shots to head into the final 20 minutes tied at 1.

Wesleyan turned up their offensive pressure to begin the 3^rd period, recording eight shots on goal over the first nine minutes of the final period of regulation. A Wesleyan penalty at the 12-minute mark shifted momentum back the Camels way, but the Wesleyan penalty kill stood tall. Connecticut College managed a slapshot just as their power play ended that ricocheted off the crossbar before being cleared out of the Wesleyan zone. Both defenses held over the final handful of minutes to force overtime. In the three-on-three extra period, Wesleyan was able to come through quickly. A hooking call on the Camels put the Cardinals on a power play just 35 second in, and the game-winner happened less than 30 seconds later. Jenna Stevens '24 carried the puck to the left of the goal before delivering a perfect centering pass to Christina Tournas '25 for the one-timer to give Wesleyan the 2-1 overtime victory.

Wesleyan and Halloran hold Connecticut College to just one goal, the seventh time in eight games they have managed that feat. Halloran makes a season-high 40 saves, upping her save percentage to 96.5% which ranks 5^th in the country, 2^nd among goalies with at least 175 saves. Effie Tournas is now tied for the team-lead with three goals. Christina Tournas scored her 2^nd goal of the season, her 1^st game-winner. Caroline Jenkins '23 records her first assist of the season while Ziff added her 2^nd. Stevens continues to create for the Cardinals' offense with her 6^th assist of the season, which ranks top 10 in the NESCAC.

Wesleyan will move into NESCAC play this week with two games against Williams on the 6^th and 7^th at Spurrier-Snyder Rink.