Women’s hockey loses semi-final

ANTHONY ZUCARO ’16
SPORTS EDITOR
Despite a strong performance by the Bantams, the Trinity College Women’s Ice Hockey team was defeated by the Middlebury Panthers with a score of 1-3 on Saturday’s NESCAC Semifinal. The Bantams dropped their first game since February 6th and finished with a record of 15-9-2. Meanwhile, the Panthers beat Amherst 5-4 to win the NESCAC championship.
The Bantams had a strong first period when Captain Shannon Farrell ’16 challenged Panther goalie Julia Neuburger one-on-one in the first minutes. Despite this, Farrell’s goal was blocked and Middelbury rallied to put up six shots. Thankfully Bantam goalie Sydney Belinskas ’18 blocked all six shots. Bantam forward Kelcie Finn ’18 soon had a strong shot on goal within the last two minutes, but the period ended with a Bantam goal by Emma Tani ’16 following a penalty by Middlebury.
The Panthers fought back in the second period, with Panthers Allie Aiello and Anna Van Kula taking shots on goal. Eventually, the Panthers converted in the 11th minute, thanks to a slapshot by Jenna Marotta, which became her first career goal with the Panthers. Kate Fraley ’19 attempted another shot on goal and missed shortly after. A penalty on the Bantams would lead to a second goal by the Panthers from Maddie Winslow.
The third period started with a power play by the Bantams, but a shot by Finn was deflected, as was the Bantams chance to get back into the game (despite another blocked shot from Farrell). The Panthers would chew up a majority of the time until the Bantams pulled out Belinskas with under a minute left to attempt an equalizer. Regardless, the Panthers shut the play down and finished the Bantams off for good with a final goal by Jessica Young in the open net.
Unfortunately, this marks the end the Women’s strong season as they will not be advancing to the NCAA Division III tournament.