Video by: Tom Krosnowski
Article by: Michael Dalton
Quinnipiac women’s ice hockey defeated the Vermont Catamounts 4-1 in game one of a weekend home series at the TD Bank Sports Center on Friday.
“I think our team did a really good job sticking to our game plan,” Quinnipiac head coach Cassandra Turner said.
The Bobcats came into the contest looking to build off of a shutout win against Providence last weekend, while the Catamounts came off of a commanding 7-0 win over Union.
Throughout the first ten minutes of the first period, each team was playing well defensively but wasn’t producing the offense needed to score.
That changed when Catamount forward Saana Valkama earned a trip to the penalty box for interference. The Bobcats took advantage, capitalizing on their first power play opportunity.
Anna Kilponen fired a shot from the blue line that went through the legs of Catamount goaltender Sydney Scobee. The goal was Kilponen’s first career goal as a Bobcat since transferring from North Dakota this offseason.
On the other end of the ice, Abbie Ives made every save in the period and the Bobcats went into the locker room with a 1-0 lead over the Catamounts.
The Bobcats extended their lead to two goals in the second period on a rebound goal by Brooke Bonsteel. However that lead only lasted 35 seconds.
Val Caldwell got to a loose puck in the crease after a turnover and shot the puck past an outstretched Ives to put the Catamounts on the board and cut the Bobcats lead to one.
The score remained the same until halfway through the third period when Bonsteel struck once again. The freshman scored not only her first collegiate goal in the second period, but added her second late in the game.
“[Scoring] was a great feeling,” Bonsteel said. “I’ve always dreamed about it growing up. There was a lot of contribution from my line mates. (Laura) Lundblad winning that draw on the first goal. Second goal on the power play, (Randi) Marcon tossed it backdoor to me.”
Bonsteel alongside Grace Markey and Laura Lundblad, are all freshmen that make up the third line for the Bobcats.
“Our freshman are growing,” Turner said. “When you enter into college hockey it can sometimes be overwhelming. I think they’re segmenting things well.”
Sophomore Sarah-Éve Coutu-Godbout finished the evening of scoring with an empty net goal with less than a minute remaining in regulation, extending the score to 4-1.
The Bobcats earned their third win of the season on Friday, despite the absence of T.T. Cianfarano, Abby Cleay, and Allison Roethke.
“It doesn’t matter what line you’re playing on or who you’re playing with,” Turner said. “We all play one way, and that’s hard to play against.”
In order to keep the momentum rolling, the Bobcats are on the same page about what needs to be done.
“We need to keep up the good energy and hard work,” Kilponen said.
The Bobcats will play the Catamounts for the final game on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
“On day two your legs may not feel as good, and understanding that, valuing the mental side and being ready to play in those tough moments even though you might be tired,” Turner said. “We’re happy about today, but ready to attack tomorrow and be ready for a (Vermont) team that’s going to come back at us.”
