Women’s ice hockey went 1-4-1 over winter break, bringing the squad’s overall record to 2-13-4 and ECAC record to 1-9-2. Bruno picked up a win against St. Lawrence University and a tie against Dartmouth but fell to Cornell, Harvard, Colgate University and Clarkson University.
In notching its first conference win against the Saints, the team finally capitalized on momentum that had been building all season, said co-captain Jennifer Nedow ’14.
“We’ve had strong defense and good forwards, but we never really clicked as a team before the break. Now everyone feels connected and we’re flowing. … We’re all working as a unit now,” she said.
But the first weekend of January proved unsuccessful for Bruno, as the team notched two losses against Cornell and Colgate. At the time, the Big Red was unbeaten within the ECAC. Bruno managed to keep the game at a 1-1 tie until the third period, but lost the draw as Cornell scored less than two minutes into the period, and again later to secure a 3-1 win. Against Colgate, a squad ranked low in the ECAC, a Bruno comeback attempt fell short. Janice Yang ’15.5 scored to cut the deficit to 3-2 in the third period, but the Colgate defense protected the lead, handing Bruno another conference loss.
The previous weekend, the team went on the road to face off against Ivy League rivals Dartmouth and Harvard. Traveling to Cambridge, the Bears were shut out 3-0 against a tough Crimson team. Despite strong defense and several close scoring opportunities, Bruno was outshot 33 to 17 and was unable to capitalize on any of its six power play attempts. The scoreless second period highlighted Brown’s ability to compete, if only in spurts, against strong teams like Harvard.
“We’ve had so many frustrating losses this season,” Nedow said. “We had the mentality that we had nothing to lose — then we realized that this attitude was getting us really close to beating top teams.”
In a push for redemption, the Bears faced Dartmouth the next day and battled their way to a 3-3 draw. Yang led the way for Brown with two goals, including the final equalizer halfway through the third period. Over the course of the tight, back-and-forth game, Dartmouth held the lead twice and Brown once. As the match went to overtime, the Big Green failed to capitalize on a power play, leaving overtime scoreless.
Most recently, the Bears faced a strong Clarkson team Jan. 18 at Meehan Auditorium, dropping the decision 4-1. In line with trends from earlier in the season, the Bears were outshot, this time by a margin of 34, allowing 49 shots on goal for Clarkson, while the Golden Knights allowed only 15. Aubree Moore ’14 remained a vital defensive asset for Bruno in goal, but neither the defense nor offense was able to stop the Golden Knights from picking up their seventh straight victory. Despite some strong late Bruno efforts to tighten the game, Clarkson’s three-goal win was secured with an empty net goal in the last minute of play.
The same weekend, Bruno faced off against St. Lawrence, finding success in a 4-2 win. Kaitlyn Keon ’15 was instrumental for the Bears, scoring two goals in the team’s first ECAC win of the season. Trailing 2-1 in the second period, Keon equalized the game with her first goal, later netting the go-ahead tally early in the third period. The 3-2 lead lasted through a nail-biting Saints 6-on-4 power play. Yang sealed the win with the final goal on an empty net.
This weekend the Bears face off against Yale twice — once at home and then in New Haven.
“This is a huge weekend. ... We’re hoping to get more points and we’re very excited for the big crowd,” Nedow said. The team will travel on Friday for a 7 p.m. puck drop and will play at home Saturday. Following Saturday’s game, the team will celebrate 50 years of Brown women’s hockey with a reception featuring special guests at the Nelson Fitness Center.
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