KEENE, N.H., – Celebrating their four seniors for the program's inaugural senior day at Keene ICE, the Keene State College women's ice hockey team coasted to a 6-1 win over Hilbert College on Friday night.

Records

• Keene State: 11-7
• Hilbert: 0-12

How it Happened


Makenna Montgomery opened the contest with a pair of saves in the opening five minutes for the Owl, but shortly after KSC was on the attack, forcing Brook Thompson to make six saves over the next five minutes for the Hawks. Hilbert had the first power play of the game 10:08 into the period, but it didn't amount to anything after Montgomery saved both shots on target. Two minutes later, the Hawks had another power play opportunity, but over the two minutes it didn't quite seem like they did, as KSC was on the attack while down a skater. On the Hilbert power play, they recorded no shots on goal, while KSC recorded three, which Thompson saved. Thompson saved four more saved over the next few minutes, but she was unable to save the first shot on goal in the Owls' first power play as senior captain Haylee Owen put KSC up 1-0 with 45 seconds remaining in the first on a goal from Emma McNeil. KSC drew a slashing penalty at the end of the first period, giving them an opportunity to start the second period with an extra-skater advantage.
 
The Owls were unable to capitalize on their power play to open the second period, but after four saves in net to open the period by Thompson, Grace Bazin netted her first career collegiate goal with Ava Iantosca picking up the assist. Hilbert had an opportunity to pull within a goal even later in the period, but after Montgomery made all three saves on the Hawks' shots, senior assistant captain Paige Henault netted the first short-handed goal in program history for KSC, from Rory Owens and Camden Ladzinski. After getting the puck in the defensive zone, Henault blew past the Hawks' defenders, as she went around the net and fired a shot just under the crossbar by Thompson to put KSC up 3-0 just over halfway through the contest. Just after the previous penalty expired shortly after, Kelsey Fuller scored for the Hawks to cut the Owls' lead back to two only 15 seconds after Henault's goal. A few minutes later when Hilbert had another power play opportunity, KSC one again was the one to take advantage as Olivia Pollard tipped the loose puck to Brianna Finke and she netted another short-handed goal, coming just 22 seconds into the power play. KSC was unable to score on their own power play advantage with 4:08 remaining, but on another power play with 1:14 remaining in the period, Ladzinski and Finke added a point to their total on the day with an assist on Iantosca's power play goal. Both goaltenders made a save in net to close out the period as the Owls took their 5-1 lead heading into the final 20 minutes of play.
 
After being named the Little East Conference Offensive Player of the year for the past season in field hockey, Bazin entered the game without a collegiate goal to date and she returned to form on the ice as she usually is on the turf by netting another goal, 2:59 into the third. Caroline Demeo and Emily Underhill picked up assists on Bazin's second goal of the game, giving the Owls a 6-1 lead. Thompson made four saves in net over the next few minutes, while on the other end of the ice, Montgomery saved a shot and then saw another shot ring off the pipe with 6:39 remaining. KSC's attack kept busy the rest of the way in the game, forcing Thompson to make five more saves in net, as the Owls secured their first win on the weekend over Hilbert to move to 4-1 in their five games in an eight-day stretch.
 
Congratulations to the KSC women's ice hockey inaugural season senior class, composed of captain Haylee Owen, assistant captain Paige Henault, Madison Mosca, Jodi Mercier, and the Owls' team manager, Hallie Trafton. We wish you the best of luck in the future!
 
Inside the Crease

• Montgomery recorded 12 saves in net for her fourth win in her past five games for the Owls.
• Four Owls recorded a multi-point game, with Bazin recording a pair of goals and Ladzinski picking up two assists, while Iantosca and and Finke eachrecorded a goal and an assist in the win.
• Having not scored a short-handed goal in the program's first 17 games, KSC scored a pair in the game, with Henault scoring the first for the Owls in program history and Finke tacking on another shortly after.
• KSC also tacked on a pair of power play goals in the win, coming from Owen and Iantosca.
• KSC went 25-for-45 (55.5%) on faceoffs in the game, with Underhill going 8-for-10 (80%) to lead the Owls.
• KSC peppered not only Thompson, who made 43 saves, but the Hawks' defense, as they recorded 24 blocked shots in the game.

Up Next
Both teams will play again in the morning at Keene Ice at 11:15 on Saturday, January 18 for their next contests as the Owls round out their six games in a nine-day stretch.