Women’s hockey blows by Williams in decisive fashion in quarterfinal match

The fifth-ranked Panthers advanced to the semifinals of the NESCAC tournament, downing the Ephs of Williams 6-2 in the quarterfinals on Saturday. The victory was Middlebury’s third over Williams this season, as the Panthers swept the season series against the Ephs during the regular season.
Head coach Bill Mandigo stressed last week that this would not be an easy win for the Panthers and through two periods of the game he was right. The Ephs were down early as they trailed 2-1 after the first period and 3-2 after the second. They did, however,  demonstrate great fight when they pulled back to 3-2 on a shorthanded goal from Nicolle Perry in the second period.
“We knew going into Saturday that the Williams team we were going to face would be different than the team we played throughout the year,” said goaltender Alexi Bloom ’11.
“Every team plays better when it’s their elimination at stake. It’s always more exciting to win a big game against a competitive team, and I think that made Saturday’s win that much sweeter.”
The Panthers got out to an early 2-0 lead behind goals from first-years Madeline Joyce ’14 and Jennifer Krakower ’14. Joyce scored her fourth goal of the year just 1:40 into the first period, giving the Panthers a lead that they would not relinquish.
Five minutes later Madison Styrbicki ’13 and Sara Ugalde ’14 set up Krakower on the Panthers power play for her third goal of the season. The Panthers special teams were particularly effective on the power play, as they converted four of their six advantage situations into goals.
Trailing 2-0, the Ephs cut the deficit in half when Nicolle Perry scored her first of two goals on a Williams Power play with 5:46 remaining in the first period.
The Panthers answered early in the second period with Grace Water’s ’12 ninth goal of the season 4:24 into the period. Heather Marrison ’13 and Anna McNally ’11 assisted Water’s goal.
Perry did her best to keep the Ephs in the game, however, as she beat Bloom for the second time 17:56 into the period. Perry’s second goal in as many periods was even more impressive because it was short-handed. It marked the second consecutive game in which the Panthers have allowed a short-handed goal, attesting to their aggressive play in advantageous situations which has worked well at times but have sometimes caught them too far up the ice in their last two games as well.
The Panthers turned the game in their favor in the third period, scoring three goals in the final 20 minutes of the game. “The first and second periods were a little rough, but the entire team battled through it without giving up,” said sophomore defender Styrbicki.
“We knew we were capable of beating Williams, so before the third period we took that as a chance to refocus and relax. We came out a lot stronger and things started clicking in the third. We did the little things right.”
First-year Ugalde scored the opening goal of the third period two minutes in, notching her 11th of the season. Jamie Harisiades ’12 and Molly Downey ’13 were credited with assists.
Styrbicki struck next 7:47 into the period increasing the lead to 5-2 on a Panthers power play. “Everyone tied up the Williams’ girls as Lauren [Greer ’13] won the face-off right back to me, leaving me with a clear shot to the net,” she said. “The little things made it possible.”
Though it was just Styrbicki’s fourth goal of the season, the impact that she has made this season has not been lost on her head coach. “Madison has been excellent – our most consistent player,” said Mandigo.
“She is a very good defenseman, clears the puck well, kills penalties and runs a power play.  I cannot say enough positives about her.”
Styrbicki played an important role in the final goal as well as she assisted Greer’s goal 15:35 into the third period along with Ugalde. The assist was Styrbicki’s team-high 15th of the season while Greer recorded her 11th goal of the year and her third point of the game.
The Panthers will face Bowdoin in the NESCAC semifinals on Saturday. The Panthers beat the Polar Bears 4-2 last weekend in Maine and 5-2 earlier in the season.
Head coach Mandigo outlined what his team will need to do in their third meeting this season. “Bowdoin is a very good team,” he said. “They have speed, a solid goaltender who moves the puck, and a very good power play. We will need to skate, move the puck and win battles in front of both nets.”
Styrbicki echoed her coach’s comments.
“For the remainder of the NESCAC tournament we’re focusing on ‘controlling the controllables,’” Styrbicki said.
“By controlling our effort and attitude we know we can go far. At this point in the season, we want to keep things calm and play our game.”
Should the Panthers win Saturday they would play the winner of Trinity and Amherst on Sunday.