COLMAR, Pa. – The Arcadia University women's ice hockey team returned to the ice on Monday to wrap up its two-game set with Alvernia after a weekend snowstorm delayed competition. The Knights (10-4-2, 8-3-1) completed the weekend sweep with a 4-1 victory, fueled by Carys Jelley's third goal of the weekend, a pair of tallies from Phoebe Roberts, and an empty-net goal from Ava Glab in the final seconds.
Gabby Meger earned the start in goal and turned aside 23 shots to improve to 5-4-1 on the season. Arcadia controlled the faceoff circle, winning 26 of 42 draws, led by Grace Matthews, who was tied for a game-high with 10 faceoff wins, while Kianna Saillant added eight. Both penalty-kill units were sharp, as Arcadia went 0-for-2 on the power play and Alvernia finished 0-for-3.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Arcadia came out with strong energy, applying pressure from the opening faceoff. Leah Hatcher and Rylie Duffy each had early shots blocked, while Roberts nearly opened the scoring on a breakaway after a turnover, but the Alvernia goaltender made the save.
• The Knights continued to generate chances through Haylee Kos, Chloe Makinson, Charlotte Siksik, Rheya Zemlak, and Maeve Hourihan before Jelley broke through. Jelley netted her ninth goal of the season, and third of the series, off an assist from Hourihan to give Arcadia a 1-0 lead.
• Just 90 seconds later, Arcadia doubled the advantage when Roberts collected a loose puck in front and beat the goaltender, scoring what proved to be the game-winning goal. The tally was Roberts' 11th of the season.
• The Knights carried a 2-0 lead into the second period after sustaining pressure for the remainder of the opening frame.
• Arcadia continued to pepper the Golden Wolves with shots in the second period and extended the lead at the 15:35 mark. Saillant won a faceoff deep in the offensive zone and pushed the puck to Roberts, who buried her second goal of the game and 12th of the season to make it 3-0.
• Alvernia ended the shutout in the third period, scoring early to cut the deficit to two goals.
• The Golden Wolves pressed late, pulling the goaltender during a power-play opportunity to skate six-on-four. Arcadia's penalty kill held strong, and Glab sealed the victory with an empty-net goal in the final seconds, securing the 4-1 win.
KNIGHT LEADERS
Goals: Roberts (2), Jelley (1), Glab (1)
Assists: Hourihan (1), Saillant (1)
Points: Roberts (2), Jelley (1), Glab (1), Hourihan (1), Saillant (1)
Blocked Shots: Leah Hatcher (3), Abbi Komrofske (3), Haylee Kos (2), Kylie Beers (2)
Saves: Meger (23)
UP NEXT
The Knights return home to Hatfield Ice Arena for a weekend conference set with King's College, beginning Friday at 6:00 p.m.
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