GENEVA, Ill. – The Trine University women's hockey team returned to the ice after a bye week by traveling to face Aurora University, currently one of the top-four teams in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) standings. The Spartans handed the Thunder an 8-0 loss in the opening half of a doubleheader weekend.
Despite an immediate disadvantage on the shot chart, the Thunder held the home side scoreless for the first 13 minutes of the contest. In the final seven minutes of the period the Spartans recorded a pair of goals to take a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
The second period was marred by an abundance of penalties, with the two teams combining for seven. Aurora took advantage of their power play opportunities scoring four goals in the period, including two with the man advantage. They took a 6-0 lead into the second intermission.
Trine's defense buckled down for the opening part of the third period, holding the opposition scoreless for 12 more minutes. Aurora eventually scored two more, to finish the game with the 8-0 victory.
Offensively Hannah Lambers led the Thunder with four shots on goal, with Kailey Mleko and Emma-Lyn Stephenson each adding three. Claire Schmaltz played the game in net and ended up with 51 saves, despite allowing the eight goals.
Trine falls to 4-14-0 overall and 0-9-0 in NCHA play following the lopsided loss. They will look to bounce back tomorrow, Saturday, January 20 with a second game against the Spartans. Opening puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT.