MIDDLETOWN, CT.- The Wesleyan women's hockey team was defeated at home by NESCAC foe Williams Saturday afternoon by a score of 5-1. The Ephs took a 2-0 lead into the 3^rd, before exploding for three third period goals to put the Cardinals away in the second game of a two game weekend series. Williams improves to 7-5 (2-4 NESCAC), while Wesleyan drops their first game since the season opener to fall to 8-2-1 (2-2-0 NESCAC).

In a tale of two games, the Ephs were able to win comfortably 5-1 Saturday after being handled by the Cardinals 4-1 just hours earlier. It is the first time the Cardinals have allowed more than two goals this season, and five goals in the most that they have allowed since February 11^th of last year. The two teams have had a back-and-forth type series, alternating wins over the last five meetings. Only one of those five meetings has been within one goal, with the four of those five meetings being hosted by Wesleyan.

The Ephs came out the aggressor, managing five of the first six shots on goal of the game. Williams then created a powerplay opportunity at the seven-minute mark, but their one shot on goal was turned away by Rei Halloran '23. Each team had a handful of shots in the final few minutes of the period, but the evenly played first 20 minutes ended in a 0-0 tie. Williams outshot the Cardinals in the period 9-6, and had the only power play chance.

Wesleyan held the Ephs without a shot attempt for the first four minutes of the period, however the first shot of the 2^nd was a score for Williams. After some work along the boards, Robin Kitazono had her wrap around shot from behind the goal sneak past Halloran to give her team the 1-0 lead early in the second period. The Cardinals then reeled off five unanswered shots on goal, but Williams responded with yet another goal. This time it came on the power play, with Delaney Szlezyngier weaving her way into the slot to beat the Cardinals goalie again to go up 2-0. Wesleyan had a power play chance to end the period, but the two shots they managed were blocked by Ephs' defenders and they went into the 3^rd with a 2-0 deficit.

Wesleyan came out with aggression on the offensive end in the final period, registering three shots on goal in the opening minutes and created a power play chance for themselves. The Cardinals took little time to capitalize on their (wo)men up chance, with Bridget Cornell '23 working her way past a Williams defender before having her wrist shot find the back of the net to cut Williams lead in half. The Cardinals immediately had another power play after the score, but could not do anything with it. Williams then added another one at the halfway point to extend the lead back to two. The Ephs would add two more in the final 10 minutes of this one to get to the final score of 5-1.

Williams outshot the Cardinals 29-26. Wesleyan was only able to score on one of their five power play opportunities, with the Ephs capitalized on two of four chances. Szlezyngier scored two for Williams, with 10 different Ephs contributing at least one point. Cornell scored the only goal for the Cards, her second of the year. It was assisted by Christina Tournas '25 and Brigitte Goeler-Slough '23 who added their third and second assists on the year respectfully.

The Cardinals will return to the ice after a few days off on the 13^th and 14^th where they will travel to Bowdoin to take on the Polar Bears in a two-game series.