By Phil Akre
Three different players tallied scores as Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey team defeated Yale University 3-1. The Bobcats (18-7-5, 11-5-2 ECAC) have now swept the season series with the Bulldogs (10-12-13, 8-9-1 ECAC), their crosstown rivals.
Saturday’s matinee matchup marked the first time the women’s team has ever appeared on television. Senior goaltender Sydney Rossman was well aware of the excitement that filled High Point Solutions Arena.
“We knew going in it was going to be a big game,” Rossman said. “The TV factor kind of just added a little bit more excitement. First time being on live TV here at Quinnipiac. It was really cool being a part of that.”
After Yale opened up the scoring with a score that bounced between both pipes, Quinnipiac’s Melissa Samoskevich put a beautiful move on a defender to rifle one to the back of the net.
While Samoskevich’s goal was big in terms of confidence, it was Kate Mackenzie’s 2nd period score that brought the team to life. A laser from 20 feet out that went top-shelve, the impressive goal was a welcome sight for the Bobcats.
“That second goal was important,” head coach Cass Turner said. “We want to be able to win that race to three goals. That shot from Kate was outstanding, it’s something that she works on a lot.”
Quinnipiac’s offense certainly did its part throughout the game, but it was its defense that shined. The team allowed just 25 shots on goal combined between Brown and Yale. Sydney Rossman, after not starting against Brown, got back in net against Yale. Freshman Abbie Ives started in her place a day before, but Rossman had nothing but compliments for her teammate.
“She had a great game yesterday,” Rossman said regarding Ives’ play. “We compete with each other every single day. Sometimes she out battles me in drills, sometimes I out battle her. It’s a good, competitive relationship between us.”
Taryn Baumgardt and Emma Woods added two scores to Quinnipiac’s total before the clock hit zero. By the end of the game, Quinnipiac had tallied 55 shots on goal, 106 shots in two days.
The game, as expected, got pretty physical. Three Yale players had to exit the ice and head to the locker room. Cass Turner knew it was the continuation of a long-time rivalry.
“There certainly is a rivalry,” Turner said. “There’s a lot of emotion involved and today was absolutely no different. I think for our team, there’s always a little bit more on the line when you play Yale.”
The Bobcats will hit the ice next when they travel up to New York to face St. Lawrence in a divisional showdown on Friday.
