HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Keene State College women's ice hockey team opened their second season, and first season in the Little East Conference with ease as the Owls soared to an 8-1 victory over Hilbert College on Halloween, backed by seven different Owls tallying a point on the day.
Records
- Keene State: 1-0
- Hilbert: 0-1
How it Happened
It didn't take long for the Owls to find the back of the net in the contest, as they lit the lamp just 3:27 into the contest. After Hilbert's goaltender, Tia Card made a save on the Owls' first five shots, including killing a penalty off,
Brianna Finke scored the opening goal for the Owls, just as she did in KSC's inaugural season in 2024-2025, with
Ellie Patrick and
Ava Iantosca assisting this time to put KSC up 1-0. Both goaltenders, Card, and
Ai Chung for KSC, made three saves apiece over the next six minutes. Soon after, Chung saved her fourth over the span, but Card was unable to save her fourth shot as
Molly Price sent a pass from the Owls' defensive half out ahead to Finke who blazed past Hilbert's defenders and buried her second goal of the period with 9:47 remaining in the first. Neither team found the back of the net the rest of the opening period as Chung made three more saves and Card made 12 more saves to limit the Owls' lead to two heading into the second period.
It took longer for the Owls to find the back of the net in the second period, as the first goal of the period did not come until there was only 7:54 remaining in the second. Card opened the second period with six saves in the opening 5:48, while Chung responded with a pair of saves in net for KSC over the next few minutes. At the 12:06 mark in the second, a pair of KSC freshmen connected on the third goal of the day on a 4-on-4 goal as
Loreli Norman assisted
Emily Edmunds for both of their first collegiate points for the Owls. Iantosca netted her first goal of the season, 1:25 after Edmunds', coming just as the Hawks' penalty was about to expire. Card made a save on the next six saves from the Owls, but KSC capitalized again on a penalty as Iantosca won the faceoff, resulting in her and Patrick picking up assists on Price's first goal of the season with 1:54 remaining in the second. The Owls tried to tack on another goal at the end of the second, but Card made two more saves and Patrick hit the post on a shot as KSC went into the third up 5-0.
KSC opened the third period up with one of their quickest goals in program history as Finke assisted Price for the goal just seven seconds into the third to put the Owls up 6-0. Card responded right back and saved the next five shots, but the Hawks capitalized on a KSC penalty, just as the Owls had done twice previously. After Chung saved the initial shot in goal, the rebound fell to Amelia Murphy who found the back of the net to bring the score to 6-1 4:46 into the period. The five-goal difference did not last long as 1:58 later Iantosca forced a turnover from the Hawks in their defensive half and took the puck herself and scored to put KSC up 7-1. Card saved the next five shots from the Owls and Hilbert killed off a penalty over the next few minutes, but KSC found the back of the net again with 8:55 remaining as
Tabby Jones forced a turnover by the Hawks, leading to
Emily Underhill scoring her first career collegiate goal for KSC. The 8-1 score following Underhill's first goal held for the final despite the Owls attack continuing to apply the pressure the rest of the way. Card made eight more saves the rest of the contest and saw another two shots hit the post, while KSC killed off a penalty late in the third and Chung made three more saves for the 8-1 victory.
"We improved as the game went along in our team play," said Owls' head coach
Rob Morgan. "Especially pleased with our defense make positive decisions with breaking the puck out. Our top line did a great job sharing the puck," Morgan said, as the Owls' top line of Finke, Iantosca, and Price combined for 11 points from six goals and five assists. "I am most impressed with how hard they worked for the full 60 minutes!"
"It was a great team win. We came out strong, set the tone early, and kept the pressure on for all three periods," said Iantosca, the Owls' new team captain in her sophomore season. "Everyone contributed, and it really showed how well we can play when we're connected and moving the puck."
Inside the Crease
- Chung made 14 saves in net for the Owls for a .933 SV%, while Card made 56 saves for a .875 SV%.
- Iantosca and Finke both finished with a pair of each goals and assists apiece, while Price was right behind with three points from two goals and an assist.
- KSC went 33-for-60 (55%) on faceoffs with Patrick leading the way going 12-for-18 (67%).
- KSC went 2-for-4 (50%) on power play opportunities, while Hilbert went 1-for-5 (20%).
- The Owls' eight goals are tied for the most goals scored in program history, as the Owls last did it back on January 10, 2025 in their 8-2 win over Framingham State University.
Up Next
Both teams return to the ice in less than 24 hours as Hilbert hosts KSC again on Saturday, November 1, at 2:00 PM.
