BEVERLEY, MA – The 12^th-ranked Nazareth (21-6-1) women's hockey squad, scored two third period goals behind the stick of freshman Amy Laskowski, to knock off #9 Endicott in the First Round of the NCAA Division III Women's Hockey Championships on Saturday afternoon. Nazareth will face off against #4 Middlebury (20-6-1) in the quarterfinals next Saturday (3/22) at 3 p.m.

It marks the first-ever NCAA Tournament win for the program in its seventh season. The Golden Flyers had valiant attempts in its other three NCAA outings, dropping a 2-1 in overtime decision to Hamilton a season ago and falling to that same Continental squad 3-1 in 2022-23. In the Golden Flyers first NCAA tournament game in 2021-22, they fell 2-1 to Elmira with a late third period goal.

After an even two periods, the Golden Flyers got the better of the Gulls in the third. Reigning UCHC Player/Rookie of the Year Amy Laskowski showed up when it mattered most in the third, netting a power play goal with under seven minutes to play. On the power play, Julia Holmes fired a pass to Laskowski for a beautiful wrister into the top corner. Brooke Judkiewicz also had an assist.

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Nazareth's defense held tough throughout the period, including the goaltending of McKinley Hoff. Hoff made 22 saves in the game.

Laskowski added an empty net goal with 1:17 to play to seal the game with assists to Ivey Lyden and Sami Quackenbush. 

It was the home team that scored first 4:45 into the contest on an even strength goal.

Nazareth was able to even the score at one apiece with under seven minutes to play in the period. A strong forecheck from Judkiewicz deep in the zone forced the puck out to Lyden, who threw it in front for Kindred to slap it in.

It was a similar second period where the Gulls scored first, but Nazareth answered later in the period.

Endicott's goal came five minutes into the second and freshman Sofia Pittis netted a tally at the 16:11 mark to tie the game at 2-2. Laskowski drew a defender and played a beautiful pass to a trailing Pittis to put home into the net. Nikki Sharp also got an assist on the play.

Watch the postgame press conference with head coach Chris Baudo, captain Sydney Swanson and freshman Amy Laskowski. .