REISTERSTOWN, Md. – The Trine University women's hockey team's comeback effort was just short as they fell to Stevenson University by the score of 4-3.
The Thunder scored a pair of goals during the first period to build an early lead in the contest, but the Mustangs responded with a crushing second period filled with four goals that ultimately led to their victory.
The first goal of the game came with just over 15 minutes remaining in the first period. A Stevenson skater moved up the far boards, looking to clear their zone after an offensive push by Trine. Avery Burrell and Emma-Lyn Stephenson greeted the attempt by creating a scrum along the boards in front of the visiting bench. Stephenson ended up leaving with the puck and skating back up the same boards before firing a shot from the top of the far circle that struck true.
Ten minutes later the Thunder made the lead a pair with their second goal. Once again the team broke up clearing attempt by the Mustangs to lead to the goal. Chloe Downey knocked down a high pass just outside the offensive blueline, allowing Ellie Warhoftig to chip the puck beyond the defender and back into the zone. Downey followed it and beat the other team to the puck, moving back to the high slot before firing the shot on goal and making the score 2-0.
Stevenson stormed past Trine in the second period, scoring four goals to enter the third with a 4-2 lead.
A pair of home penalties gave the Thunder a 5-on-3 opportunity in the waning minutes of the contest and the team capitalized to cut the deficit to one. Hannah Lambers and Payton Hans passed the puck back and forth from the point to the far boards before Hans skated up to the faceoff circle to fire a shot on goal. The rebound off the save stayed just outside the crease and Kailey Mleko was waiting to push it home for the score.
The team pulled the goalie for a final push in the last minute of the period but were unable to force overtime and the game ended in a 4-3 loss.
Trine falls to 4-5-2 overall. They will look to bounce back and split the series tomorrow, Monday, December 30 with a second game against the Mustangs. Opening puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m.
