MIDDLETOWN, CT. – The Wesleyan women's hockey team welcomed Hamilton College to Spurrier-Snyder Arena for the first game of the weekend NESCAC series but could not outlast a three-goal comeback that saw Hamilton finish off the 5-4 defeat of Wesleyan in overtime on Friday night.

A frenzied first period saw four combined goals find the back of the net, forcing goaltenders Sami Smith '27 and Evie Sheridan to their toes quite early. While the opening minutes tilted in the Continentals' favor, the Cardinals were undeterred. Sam Galanek '26 tied the game up at one nearly a minute after Sadie Klein's opening goal, shoving the puck over the line.

Barely 30 seconds fell from the clock before Dylan Green '26 gave the Cardinals a lead, making the most of Sheridan's right post once again. The Cardinals' lead held into the final minute of the first period before a hooking call on the Continentals resulted in a short-handed goal by Lydia Bullock tied the game up at two.

A scoreless second period bled into a four-goal third period, echoing the opening minutes. Bree Anderson '29, scoring her first career goal as a Cardinal, returned the lead to the Cardinals with a snapshot from the blue line. The Cardinals would garner a two-goal lead in the ensuing minutes, Aiko Sims '26 generating a quick shot at Sheridan's right post from the faceoff.

The Continentals dashed all momentum in the closing minutes, scoring two in a row to send the game to overtime. Sophie Berghammer and Bullock tallied the late goals. Bullock would assist on Sarah Wagner's game-winning goal in the extra minutes.

From the faceoff, Lilly Place '29 led all Cardinals with 15 wins. Caroline Kee '26 recorded 12 draw wins while Galanek finished with 10. Amelia Molin '27, Green, and Anderson finished with five shots on goal.

Finishing the evening in goal, Smith clocked 39 saves, her second highest save count of the season. Sheridan earned the win with 31 saves.

The Cardinals will face the Continentals again on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 3 p.m.