Coming off a commanding win versus Harvard to start ECAC play, No. 5 women’s hockey extended its season-opening win streak to four with a 5-0 win over Dartmouth.
On Saturday, the Red (4-0-0, 2-0-0 in ECAC play) looked to improve on its mediocre opening period against the Crimson from the day before. Against Dartmouth — who had knocked off No. 9 Colgate the night before — Cornell dominated the first period. The Big Green (1-3, 1-1 ECAC) did not register a shot on goal until nearly 15 minutes into the first frame. This wasn’t for lack of trying, as Cornell skaters recorded four blocked shots in the first period.
Despite maintaining offensive pressure, the Red could not find the back of the net in the first half of the opening period. That changed with 3:57 remaining in the frame when, after a pass along the blue line by sophomore defender Rose Dwyer to senior defender Alyssa Regalado, Regalado’s pass to a wide open senior forward Avi Adam was tipped into the back of the net.
The Red continued to apply pressure and with 1:17 left to go in the period, a Big Green defender was called for interference, the first penalty of the game. The Red started the power play looking to improve on an 0/2 performance with the skater advantage against Harvard.
That it would do — following a skilled save at the blueline by Regalado, sophomore forward Lindzi Avar found the puck on her stick after a chaotic rebound. Avar skated around the net and slid the puck past Big Green netminer Michaela Hesová with just eight seconds remaining in the period.
The Red went to the locker room with the two-goal lead, a rush of momentum and a 15-3 shots-on-goal advantage.
Much like in the first period, Cornell kept possession and momentum in the early part of the second frame. Just over halfway into the period, Avar drew a roughing penalty to give Cornell its second power play of the game. The Red looked nearly as dangerous as its successful first attempt, but Dartmouth’s penalty kill unit stood tall.
With just under seven minutes left the Big Green had its best opportunity of the second period when a Dartmouth forward barely missed an open net, but the 2-0 score would hold.
After deking around a defender, freshman forward Nora Curtis would once again send the Red back to the power play for the third time. Despite multiple opportunities — including a senior defender Grace Dwyer shot off the post — Cornell could not capitalize on the advantage.
Just 22 seconds after the end of its third powerplay, the Red would receive its fourth skater advantage of the game after senior forward Georgia Schiff was interfered with behind the play. This time, the Red would cash in. After a Regalado pass to the point, Curtis fired a shot that lit the lamp. The freshman's third career goal gave Cornell a 3-0 lead.
In the dying seconds of the frame it looked like Avar might extend the lead, but Hesová stood tall despite the onslaught of the Cornell offense. The Red once again left the ice with both the lead and momentum.
Dartmouth entered the third period not just trailing in score, but also opportunities. Cornell maintained the majority of possession through the first two frames, outshooting the Big Green 34-7.
37 seconds into the third period, junior forward Karel Prefontainne continued the momentum and beat Hesová with a shot from the point that handcuffed the netminder to increase Cornell’s lead to 4.
Shortly thereafter, Curtis drew her third penalty of the afternoon and the Red went back on the advantage. On the ensuing power play, Curtis was rewarded with her second goal of the game.
After the fifth goal of the game, Hesová was replaced with sophomore Jiahui Zhan. Zhan was immediately tested, stopping a two-on-one opportunity. The goalie change gave the Big Green a jolt of energy, eventually leading to Dartmouth’s best opportunity of the game — a cross crease opportunity that was saved by a sprawling sophomore goaltender Annelies Bergmann.
The Big Green continued its push, eventually earning its first power play of the game with 11:58 left in the final period. However, the Red penalty kill held strong and remained perfect on the season.
Cornell rebounded after the powerplay and maintained momentum until a crosschecking penalty against Adam with 1:40 remaining in the period prompted one last stand. A Dartmouth shot clanged iron, and Bergmann recorded her second shutout of the season and third career against Dartmouth in a dominant performance.
Cornell will return home to Lynah Rink to face Syracuse on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Action will be streamed live on ESPN+.
