BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (December 6, 2024) – The Stonehill College women's hockey team's comeback effort fell short in a 2-1 loss to Assumption University on Friday night in a New England Women's Hockey Alliance matchup. With the defeat, the Skyhawks dropped to 5-14-1 overall and 5-7-1 in conference play, while the Greyhounds improved to 6-11-2 overall and 6-6-1 in conference action.

Highlights

• Junior Kathryn Karo scored her second goal of the season off junior Lily Geist's first assist of the year.
• Karo and graduate transfer Maeve Connolly paved the way at the faceoff circle, winning a combined 31 of 43 draws on the night.
• Sophomore defender Pusle Dyring-Andersen blocked a game-high three shots for the Skyhawks.
• First-year netminder Alexsa Caron tallied 40 saves in between the pipes for Stonehill, marking her sixth game overall and fourth consecutive game stopping at least 40 shots.
• First-year student Heather Ajakie and sophomore Alexa Hanrahan each lit the lamp on their third goals of the season for Assumption.
• Sophomore goaltender Jadyn Weiser picked up her third win in net after stopping 28 of her 29 shots faced on the night for the Greyhounds.

How it Happened
Assumption came out strong in the conference contest, dominating offensive possession and outshooting Stonehill 20-4 in the first 20 minutes. Despite the lopsided shot count, Stonehill's Caron stepped up, keeping the Greyhounds off the scoreboard and sending the game into the first intermission scoreless.
 
In the second period, Assumption broke the tie at the 5:25 mark. Ajakie spun around in the slot after receiving a pass from junior Emma Gurnell and fired a shot over Caron's glove, giving the Greyhounds a 1-0 lead early in the middle frame.
 
Stonehill nearly equalized while shorthanded at 9:30 in the second. Senior co-captain Josie Mendeszoon and Geist had a two-on-one opportunity, but Weiser's right pad denied their attempt to score, keeping the Greyhounds in front.
 
Back-to-back penalties on Stonehill's junior Gracie Sacca and first-year Seina Spadone gave Assumption a chance to extend its lead. The Greyhounds took advantage on the power play at 15:17, when Hanrahan pounced on a loose puck and fired what eventually proved to be the game-winning goal into the net off a rebound from sophomore Rachel Agerter.
 
Trailing by two heading into the third period, Stonehill responded quickly. Just 3:25 into the final frame, Karo scored her second goal of the season after receiving a pass from Geist below the goal line, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
 
The Skyhawks, now just one goal behind, attacked relentlessly, firing 17 shots at Weiser and the Assumption defense in the final 15 minutes. With under 90 seconds remaining, Stonehill pulled their goalie in search of the equalizer. However, the Greyhounds held strong, fending off the comeback attempt to secure a 2-1 victory.

Up Next
Stonehill (5-14-1, 5-7-1 NEWHA) wraps up its two-game weekend against Assumption University tomorrow in Worcester, Massachusetts. Puck drop between the Skyhawks and Greyhounds from the Worcester Ice Center is set for 7:10 PM.
 
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