ANGOLA, Ind. – After falling behind 3-1 in the first period, the Trine University women's hockey team left the building with a 4-4 tie result against visiting Chatham University.
The Thunder struck first in the contest. While working the offense, Ryleigh White battled through a defender along the boards before passing the puck to the top of the near faceoff circle. Nevada Weisbrod fired a shot from the point that was saved but not corralled. The rebound ended up just outside of the crease where Cassandra Biblow was ready to fire a second shot that found the back of the net.
The Cougars responded 26 seconds later and then went on a three goal run to build their own lead at 3-1. Klara Miuller led the way for Chatham, scoring all three goals during the period.
Trine finally interrupted the streak in the final minute of the period. After forcing a turnover in defensive zone, the puck ended up with White who forced her way across the offensive blueline before poking the puck toward a teammate. Sydney Streb collected it and weaved through the defense before passing the puck to Kalli Graham who had a bit of empty ice on the near side of the goal. She converted her shot to make the score 3-2 at the first intermission.
Seven minutes into the second, Graham set up the tying goal on defense. She ended up with possession in the defensive zone and lobbed a pass over a Cougar player finding Olivia Porthan in the open. Porthan took the puck into the offensive zone and looked to have a chance at a goal herself but instead passed to Chloe Downey who had trailed her into the slot. Downey tipped the puck home.
After allowing the three goals in the first, Abby Hargrave-Thomas settled into the net during the second. She finished that period with nine saves, keeping the game tied at three for the second intermission. She finished the game with 21 saves.
Trine took the lead in the 16th minute of the final stanza. Dorka Gengeliczky kept the puck in the zone flipping to her teammates with Maya Shtrom and Aleah Bienek exchanging pass on their way to the goal. Shtrom's shot was saved but Bienek followed the rebound and scored on the opposite of the net.
The goal capped a great night by Bienek. The senior made her biggest mark in the faceoff circle where she went a perfect 17-0 through the first two periods. She finished the game 24-4.
Desperate to salvage the contest, Chatham pulled their goalie with over four minutes remaining in the game. Trine held off the attack for the next two minutes, but the Cougars eventually scored an equalizer in the final minutes of play.
Neither team scored in overtime, despite the Thunder recording five shots on goal to just one by the visitors. The game ended with the 4-4 tie.
Trine ends the day 5-8-2 overall. They will return to Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) play when they next take the ice. They are set to host Lawrence University on Friday, January 16 for the first half of a weekend doubleheader. That game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
