There was no shortage of action and drama opening up the Division III women’s schedule this past weekend in nonconference play.
Two prestigious tournaments — the East/West Showcase and the Puck Drop Classic — highlighted the opening contests, and while the former featured four ranked teams, the latter also had stellar talent on display.
At the East/West Showcase, No. 1 Plattsburgh, No. 2 Elmira, No. 4 Norwich, and No. 6 Adrian all took the ice in Northfield, Vt., and Saturday, Adrian knocked off Elmira, 4-1, as Jade Walsh made 17 saves, while Plattsburgh edged Norwich, 2-1, as Giovanna Senese potted the game-winner at 19:44 of the third period.
On Sunday, Plattsburgh blanked Adrian, 3-0, behind Camille Leonard’s 22-save shutout, and Elmira beat Norwich, 7-2, as Olivia Nystrom tallied two goals and an assist.
In Dudley, Mass., for the Puck Drop Classic, Friday’s action saw Buffalo State beat host Nichols, 6-2, and outshoot the Bison 51-19, with Erin Gehen getting three goals and an assist, and then Endicott shut out Plymouth State, 2-0, as Vendela Jonsson stopped all 17 shots fired her way.
Saturday’s results saw Jonsson turn aside all 16 shots in Endicott’s 4-0 win over Nichols and Buffalo State down PSU 2-1, as Caitie Horvatits and Emma Ruggiero provided the offense.
Just one blowout to note from this weekend, as Franklin Pierce crushed Daniel Webster, 12-1, on Friday night. Marissa Ketterman, Michelle Holmes, and Bryana Harron all went for two goals and two assists apiece.
In the “That’s Not A Typo” department, Franklin Pierce outshot Daniel Webster by an 81-4 margin.
Of all games that went to overtime this past weekend (five total), just one ended with a winner, as Logan Harper lifted Wisconsin-Stevens Point over St. Olaf 5-4 on Saturday.
In games with ranked teams playing, No. 10 Lake Forest and goaltender Allie Carter hung a 5-0 goose egg on St. Catherine Saturday night, and No. 7 St. Thomas defeated No. 3 Wisconsin-River Falls, 2-1, the same night, as the Tommies scored two in the third and withstood a late charge to get the win.
