Women’s hockey sets off season undefeated

It’s hard to imagine how the women’s hockey team could have had a better start to the 2010-2011 season. The Panthers beat NESCAC rivals Bowdoin on Sunday to improve to 5-0 early in the season, handing the Polar Bears (3-1) their first loss of the season with an impressive 5-2 victory. Senior forward Anna McNally ’11 delivered a standout performance, as the co-captain finished the game with two of the five goals. McNally broke a scoreless tie 13 minutes into the game, scoring the game’s first goal, and later sealed the Panthers victory with an open-net goal with 13 seconds remaining to give the Panthers a 5-2 lead. The goals were McNally’s second and third of the year and marked the 100th point of her career.

McNally’s first goal came on the Panthers third power play of the game and was assisted by Heidi Woodworth ’11 and co-captain Julia Ireland ’11. The Panthers converted twice more on power plays, finishing Sunday’s home match with three power play goals in 11 chances.

Despite the Panthers’ early control of the game, the Polar Bears managed a first-period goal to tie the game at one with 4:35 remaining when junior forward Shelagh Merrill scored an unassisted goal. The tie was short-lived however, as the Panthers responded with three second-period goals. Ireland scored her third goal of the season early into the second period, giving the Panthers a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Soon after, first-year Sara Ugalde ’14 also netted her third of the year on a Panther power play. The high-scoring Panthers struck again less than three minutes later when Madison Styrbicki ’13 scored an unassisted goal to push the Panthers lead to 4-1 midway through the second period.

The Polar Bears cut into the deficit late in the second quarter, when Kendra Sweet beat the Middlebury back line and senior goaltender Lexi Bloom ’11. The third period belonged to the Panthers however, who outshot the Polar Bears 15-8 and scored an open-net goal with time expiring. Over the course of the game the Panthers outshot the Polar Bears 51-19 and had 11 power play opportunities compared to Bowdoin’s three.

The Panthers fast start is encouraging for head coach Bill Mandigo. The Panthers have accumulated wins over NESCAC opponents Bowdoin, Colby, Connecticut College and Hamilton, bolstering the team to an early lead in the conference. A day before their convincing win over Bowdoin, the Panthers beat Colby (2-2) 3-0.

“I thought the defense played well and moved the puck quickly and intelligently,” said Mandigo. “The forwards battled hard and we had two excellent goals from Grace Waters ’12 and McNally.”

The Panthers have also been sparked by the play of Bloom in goal. The senior from Highland Park, Ill. was named the NESCAC player of the week after posting a shutout over Hamilton and then another dominant performance against Connecticut College in the first weekend of the season. Bloom saved 46 of 48 shots in the two games en route to two Panthers victories.

“Lexi has played very well,” said Mandigo. “She has been aggressive in the net, has communicated very well with her teammates in the defensive zone and has been a very confident goaltender. Lexi’s teammates have tremendous confidence in her.”

Mandigo also stressed that, despite the Panthers terrific start to the season, there are aspects of the game that his players can continue to improve upon. “They need to stay focused, continue to battle in the corners and in front of the net to win pucks and find a way to put the puck in the net consistently,” Mandigo said.

The Panthers have gotten off to a great start to their season and will look to build on their win streak this Saturday, when they host the Ephs of Williams (1-3). A better barometer for the Panthers season may come shortly after winter recess when the Panthers travel to Plattsburgh, N.Y. for the Panther/Cardinal Classic.