BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (November 29, 2024) – The Stonehill College women's hockey team dropped its Thanksgiving weekend opener to non-conference opponent Princeton University, 5-0, Friday night at the Bridgewater Ice Arena. With the loss, the Skyhawks fell to 5-12-1 overall, while the Tigers improved to 7-5 on the season.  

Highlights

• Junior center Kathryn Karo continued her strong season at the faceoff dot winning 16 of her 27 total draws on the night to lead the Skyhawks.
• Entering play this weekend, Karo ranked seventh in the country with 202 total faceoff wins on the season.
• Junior co-captain Sydney Russell registered a game-high five blocked shots, while graduate student Maeve Connolly and junior Hannah Squires tallied four blocks each.
• First-year netminder Alexsa Caron posted 57 saves in between the pipes for the Skyhawks. Marking her fourth game of the season and second consecutive game with at least 50 saves.
• First-year student Mackenzie Alexander and junior Sarah Paul paved the way for the Princeton offensive output, registering both a goal and two assists on the night.  
• First-year student Angelina DiGirolamo, senior Mia Coene, and junior Issy Wunder each netted goals of their own for the Tigers.
• Senior goaltender Jennifer Olnowich posted her first shutout of the season after stopping all 11 shots she faced inside the crease for Princeton.

How it Happened
After a back-and-forth opening five minutes, Princeton took control of the first period, launching 20 shots on goal against Caron and the Stonehill defense. Despite being outshot 20-5, the Skyhawks' defense held firm, blocking eight shots in front of Caron and keeping the game scoreless as the period ended.
 
Coming out of the first intermission, Princeton quickly grabbed the game's first lead at the 2:15 mark of the second period. First-year Lucia DiGirolamo sent a cross-ice pass to Coene, who one-timed a shot into the top left corner of the net, giving the Tigers a 1-0 advantage.
 
Just 13 seconds into their first power-play opportunity, the Tigers would double their lead at the 3:47 mark. Angelina DiGirolamo redirected a shot from the slot by Paul past Caron for her fifth goal of the season. With just under five minutes remaining in the second period, Princeton increased its lead to 3-0. A series of quick passes found Wunder in close, and she scored her 10th goal of the season, sending the game into the intermission with Princeton in control.
 
Early in the third period, the Skyhawks earned their first power play of the game. However, Princeton's penalty kill held Stonehill at bay, allowing only a single shot from sophomore Peyton Wise. Less than 30 seconds after the penalty expired, Princeton added another goal, with Alexander completing a three-point performance by scoring her eighth of the season.
 
Despite the four-goal deficit, Stonehill's defense and Caron remained resolute in the final frame. The Skyhawks blocked eight shots and Caron made 20 saves throughout the third period. In the final moments of the game, however, Princeton capped off its scoring output with a goal from Paul, securing a 5-0 shutout victory over Stonehill.

Up Next
Stonehill (5-12-1, 5-6-1 NEWHA) rounds out its two-game Thanksgiving weekend series against Princeton on Saturday. Puck drop between the Skyhawks and Tigers from inside the Bridgewater Ice Arena is set for 1 PM.  
 
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