NORTHFIELD, VT – The Nazareth University Women's Hockey team put together a great team effort against nationally-ranked SUNY Plattsburgh in the consolation game of the 13th Annual East/West Classic Sunday afternoon but the Cardinals, ranked No. 4 in the latest national poll, posted a 1-0 win in overtime.
Nazareth (5-4-1 overall) dropped a one-goal decision against a nationally ranked opponent for the third consecutive game.
After the teams played an even first period, the Golden Flyers controlled play for a majority of the second period which included a pair of penalty kill situations. Nazareth won several of the neutral ice battles in the period and held a 19-16 shots advantage over the first 40 minutes.
Plattsburgh (9-1-1) rallied in the third period with a 10-6 edge in shots but sophomore goalie Maïka Paquin made several big saves to keep the game tied.
Nazareth had the first scoring opportunity in overtime as senior Julia Holmes skated in on a break but was unable to get a shot off. With 1:45 left in the five-minute overtime period, Plattsburgh won a battle for the puck behind the Nazareth goal after graduate student Makenna Wiljanen lost her stick. The puck came out to the side of the slot area and a quick shot under the glove of Paquin ended the game.
Plattsburgh held a 5-0 shots advantage in the extra period and a 31-26 edge for the game. Paquin made 30 saves for Nazareth.
The Golden Flyers are off for the holiday break and return to action January 5-6 against Wilkes in a United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) series at the Tim Horton's Iceplex.
