COLMAR, Pa. – The Arcadia University women's ice hockey team dropped a MAC Freedom contest at home to Hood College on Friday night, falling 3-2 despite a strong overall performance. The Knights (15-6-2, 13-5-1) received goals from Carys Jelley and Haylee Kos but were unable to complete the comeback.
Arcadia controlled much of the game statistically, outshooting the Blazers 33-17 and dominating the faceoff circle, winning 30 of 49 draws. Kianna Saillant led the way at the dot, winning 20 faceoffs on her own, more than Hood managed as a team. Ava Zoppo got the start in goal and suffered her first loss of the season, allowing three goals while making 14 saves. The Knights finished 1-for-4 on the power play, while the penalty kill went 1-for-2.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• From the opening faceoff, the Knights applied consistent pressure but were unable to find the back of the net early.
• Grace Matthews had the best chance of the first period after picking off a pass in the neutral zone and racing in alone, but her shot was turned aside by the Hood goaltender.
• Arcadia earned two power-play opportunities in the opening period but could not capitalize with the extra skater.
• The Knights carried their second power play into the start of the second period and generated three more shots, but the score remained scoreless.
• Shortly after the power play expired, Hood went the other way. After Zoppo made the initial save, the Blazers poked home the rebound to take a 1-0 lead one minute into the second period.
• Two minutes later, Arcadia nearly tied the game when Saillant beat the goaltender, but her shot rang off the post and caromed into the corner.
• Hood extended its lead midway through the second period with another goal.
• Following a bench minor on Hood for too many players on the ice, Saillant again came close, firing another shot off the post that stayed out.
• Immediately after the power play expired, Abbi Komrofske fired a shot that was stopped, but Jelley was in position to bury the rebound, cutting the deficit to 2-1. The goal marked Jelley's 12th of the season, with assists from Komrofske and Matthews.
• In the third period, Arcadia converted on the power play. Saillant started the sequence with an initial shot that went wide and kicked out to Leah Hatcher, whose attempt was saved. Ava Glab followed with two shots that were denied before Kos cleaned up the rebound for her eighth goal of the season, assisted by Maeve Hourihan and Glab.
• Three minutes later, Hood regained the lead with a power-play goal of its own. Despite Arcadia pressing late and pulling Zoppo for the extra attacker, the Knights were unable to find the equalizer and dropped the contest, 3-2.
KNIGHT LEADERS
Goals: Jelley (1), Kos (1)
Assists: Komrofske (1), Matthews (1), Hourihan (1), Glab (1)
Points: Jelley (1), Kos (1), Komrofske (1), Matthews (1), Hourihan (1), Glab (1)
Blocked Shots: Leah Hatcher (5), Megan Sladish (3), Saillant (2), Kylie Beers (2)
Saves: Zoppo (14)
UP NEXT
The Knights will look to return to the win column on Saturday as they hit the road to wrap up the season series with King's College. Puck drop is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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