COLMAR, Pa. – The second-seeded Arcadia University women's ice hockey team advanced to the MAC Championship game for the second consecutive season with a 4-1 semifinal victory over third-seeded Lebanon Valley on Saturday afternoon. The Knights (18-6-2, 15-5-1) responded to an early deficit with four unanswered goals to secure their spot in the conference final.
Chloe Makinson scored twice, including the eventual game-winning goal, while Rheya Zemlak and Haylee Kos each added third-period tallies to put the game out of reach. Arcadia controlled the faceoff circle, winning 35 of 53 draws. Makinson led the effort, going 18-for-21, while Grace Matthews won eight faceoffs, Kianna Saillant secured seven, and Charlotte Siksik added two.
Gabby Meger earned the start in net and turned aside 20 shots, allowing just one goal. Both teams were unable to convert on the power play, as Arcadia went 0-for-4 and Lebanon Valley finished 0-for-5.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Phoebe Roberts generated two early scoring opportunities for the Knights, but her first shot was blocked and her second was saved.
• Roberts, Leah Hatcher, Makinson, and Rylie Duffy each recorded shots in the opening period, but Lebanon Valley's defense held firm. At the other end, Meger denied several attempts to keep the game scoreless.
• Midway through the first period, Lebanon Valley broke through. After a shot rang off the post and Meger made an initial save, the Dutchmen won the ensuing faceoff. Hatcher blocked a shot, but the rebound deflected to Sky Campanile, who capitalized to give Lebanon Valley a 1-0 lead.
• Just over a minute later, Makinson collected a rebound off a Roberts shot and buried it to tie the game at 1-1. Roberts and Duffy were credited with assists.
• Five minutes into the second period, Makinson struck again, netting her 18th goal of the season off an assist from Abbi Komrofske to give Arcadia a 2-1 advantage.
• The Knights carried the one-goal lead into the third period.
• Midway through the final frame, Zemlak extended the lead to 3-1, finishing a play set up by Matthews and Carys Jelley.
• Shortly thereafter, Kos forced a turnover in the neutral zone and broke in alone on a breakaway, scoring to seal the 4-1 victory.
KNIGHT LEADERS
Goals: Makinson (2), Zemlak (1), Kos (1)
Assists: Matthews (1), Jelley (1), Duffy (1), Komrofske (1), Roberts (1)
Points: Makinson (2), Multiple (1)
Blocked Shots: Zemlak (3), Jelley (2), Hatcher (2), Megan Sladish (2)
Saves: Meger (20)
UP NEXT
The Knights travel to Wilkes next Saturday for the MAC Championship game. Game time will be announced at a later date.
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