Katie Sullivan got her hat trick in dramatic fashion, scoring the game-winner on a power play in overtime to lead Middlebury to an upset 3-2 win over in-state rival Norwich in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament.
Just after going on a power play at 14:08 in OT, Sullivan grabbed a rebound of a Katie Mandigo shot and poked it past Kelly Fisk, causing the Panthers bench to empty onto the ice in jubilation.
Norwich got the start it wanted, getting the first goal just 1:35 into the game when Kaycie Anderson caused a turnover and skated down the left side of the ice, scoring five-hole on Middlebury goalie Annabelle Jones with a wrist shot.
Sullivan scored her first of the day at 9:52 on a one-timer of a pass from Lauren Greer, but Norwich retook the lead at 14:55 when Vanessa Champagne fired a slap shot from the point past Jones.
After a scoreless second, Middlebury poured it on in the third, and Sullivan tied it with 4:28 left in the game, poking it past Fisk off a pass from Greer from behind the net.
Prior to Sullivan’s game-winner, Anderson rang a wrist shot off the right post early in the OT, which proved to be Norwich’s best chance.
Middlebury will next face top seed Plattsburgh in the Frozen Four in Superior, Wis., on March 15.
