MIDDLETOWN, CT. – The Wesleyan women's hockey team continues their hot start to the season by defeating Williams 4-1 in their NESCAC home opener Friday night at Spurrier-Snyder Rink. The Cardinals carried a 1-0 advantage going into the final period, before managing three goals in the final 17 minutes to record their second straight victory to open up the new year. Wesleyan advances to 8-1-1 (2-1-0 NESCAC), while Williams falls to 6-5 (1-4 NESCAC).

Like their game against Connecticut College just days ago, Wesleyan and their opponent both got out to a slow offensive start in the first period. There were only a combined three shots on goal through the first five-plus minutes of action before Caroline Mezias '25 nearly put the Cardinals in front, but her shot rang off the pipe and went wide. The Ephs applied some pressure late in the period with three consecutive shots at the 16-minute mark, but Rei Halloran '23 was there to turn them away as she has all season thus far. Wesleyan had a shot of their own in the final minute and a half, but an Erin Pye save followed by a blocked shot sent the game into the second period scoreless.

The second period began much like the first, with both teams without a shot on goal for the first six minutes. Wesleyan managed a power play opportunity during that span, however the Ephs penalty kill did their job and held the Cardinals without a shot. Wesleyan went on the power play again at the seven-minute mark, this time recording two shots on goal that were both handled by Pye. Both teams traded breakaway chances in the coming minutes with both goalies up to the task to keep the game deadlocked at zero going into the dying minutes of the second period. Wesleyan was finally able to break the tie in the final minute and a half of the period. Sam Galanek '26 had her shot saved from point-blank range, Mezias was there for the rebound and the Cardinals took the lead to end the period.

Wesleyan took advantage of their third power play chance early in the period to quickly nab a 2-0 lead. Bridget Cornell '23 showed off her dangles, getting past two defenders before having her shot turned away with a pad save by Pye. The rebound went straight to Christina Tournas '25 who put it through just before falling to the ice to give Wesleyan a 2-0 advantage. Mid-way through the period, the Cardinals looked destine to add yet another goal as Williams was called for their fourth penalty of the day but it was the Ephs who struck next. Williams' Delaney Szlezyngier took the puck from one blue line across another before her fluttering shot managed to find the back of the net for a shorthanded score.

Wesleyan came back just over a minute later and extended their lead back to two goals with a Caroline Kee '26 goal. Kee gathered the puck in the neutral zone before coming into the attacking zone with a head of steam for the 4-on-4 score. Down by two goals with less than five minutes to go in the game, the Ephs pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. It produced five shots on goal to Wesleyan's one over that span, however the Cardinals' one shot was an empty netter to seal the deal on their first NESCAC home victory of the season.

Four different Cardinals scored in this one, making this the 4^th time Wesleyan has had four goals. Halloran continues to be a wall in net, turning away 26 shots. She has now allowed one or fewer goals in eight of Wesleyan's 10 games this season. Mezias scored her first goal of 2022-23, while Christina Tournas is now tied for the team-lead with three goals. The Cardinals start 2-1 in the NESCAC for the 2^nd consecutive season.

Wesleyan returns to the ice tomorrow, January 7^th where they will once again take on NESCAC foe Williams.