ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University women's hockey team dropped earned a point toward the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) standings, taking Concordia University Wisconsin through regulation and overtime with a 3-3 score. They fell in a shootout 1-0.
The Falcons struck first in the contest, scoring their opening salvo in the eighth minute of the first period.
It was a short-lived lead, with the Thunder getting their first goal under two minutes later. The play started with Madison Toor getting the puck to the point and on the stick of Dorka Gengeliczky. The freshman fired a low and fast pass toward the net where Abigale Bruner was able to skate to it. Bruner gave the puck a perfect deflection to send it into the far side of the net. It was the first goal of the season for the freshman.
Trine went on to take the lead in the 16th minute of the opening stanza. This time the run started in the team's defensive zone. Maisyn Shay was able to settle the puck in the far corner before making a short pass up the boards. Gabrielle Hicks caught it near the top of the circle and skating a few steps before making a long pass into the neutral zone. Ellie Warhoftig caught it on the move and streaked toward the net before going top shelf for the goal.
Concordia Wisconsin scored the final goal of the period to send the game to the first intermission with a 2-2 score.
Neither team scored in the second, but the Thunder built momentum in the last five minutes, securing multiple scoring chances during the stretch.
Trine retook the lead in the third. This time Gengeliczky got the puck out of the defensive zone finding Hannah Lambers who carried the puck into the offensive end. The freshman fired a shot from the top of the circle that went off the goalie and the post before hitting the back wall. Payton Hans was in position to collect the rebound, skate around the near side of the net and put the puck home.
The Falcons tied the game three minutes later and then both teams failed to score in the rest of regulation. The Thunder controlled the puck for the first half of the overtime period but were unable to score. After a strong defensive effort over the final two minutes, the extra time ended with the score still 3-3.
With the draw secured, the teams went to a shootout to determine who would take the game's third point toward the standings. Ella Park made a pair of great saves in the first two rounds of the competition, but the third Falcon got the goal and took the shootout for the visitors.
Park ended the game with 33 saves, not including the two during the shootout.
The Thunder finish the day with a 4-15-1 overall record and a 0-10-1 record in NCHA play. They will continue the series against Concordia Wisconsin tomorrow, Saturday, January 27. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.