The University of Arizona’s women’s hockey team (5-9-1) was defeated 4-1 by the University of Massachusetts Amherst (9-7-3) on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m. This was the program’s first time seeing each other. 

First period

Early minutes into the start of the game, Massachusetts earned their first goal from sophomore forward, Kennedy Pierson. However, their lead did not last long.

Arizona retaliated with a goal of their own from Rylan Peska, a freshman defender, less than two minutes after UMass’ goal. 

Several penalties were given out throughout the first period, resulting in power play opportunities for both teams. Fortunately, due to Arizona’s Olivia Sorlie, UMass never slipped one in during these chances.

To Arizona’s defeat, once both teams were at full strength, Massachusetts found the back of the net with five minutes remaining from Joanna Dustin, a senior forward. This put them in the lead 2-1. 

Play stayed even for the remainder of the first period. As it came to an end, the Wildcats had 11 shots on goal compared to Umass’ 17, Sorlie only allowing two to fall. 

Second period

Arizona headed into the second period trailing Massachusetts 2-1. Both teams scrapped for another goal, Arizona pressing UMass’ goalie, Sarah Matthews. Shots weren’t falling on either side. 

Desperate for a goal, Arizona took out their goalie, adding another player to the ice in an offensive attempt while Massachusetts had two players in their penalty box. Finding little success in having their keeper out, the Wildcats returned to their original position. 

In the last two minutes of the period, both teams exerted full force as they went down the ice, both offensively and defensively. The Wildcats attempted to keep it on their offensive side at all costs, hoping to slip one in in the final minutes of the game. 

Unfortunately for Arizona, off of a steal and breakaway, Massachusetts hit the top corner of the net just behind Sorlie, pulling them further in their lead, now 3-1. The goal was scored by Dustin, her second of the game. 

As the buzzer sounded, Massachusetts ended the period with 13 shots on goal, four more than Arizona who stood at 9 shots for the period.

Third period

Two goals behind Massachusetts, Arizona needed a comeback. They fought throughout the period, having several close shots on goal that never found their way into the net. 

UMass was able to have their turns offensively as well, not able to score either. Arizona’s Sorlie held strong, deflecting many of Massachusetts’ shots and distributing them out to her team. As the game neared its final minutes, each play became crucial to put Arizona back in the game.

Although Massachusetts was in the lead, neither team was dominating the ice as play bounced back and forth between possessions. 

For the second time, Arizona pulled their goalie and added a player to the ice looking for any offensive opportunities and willing to risk their defensive end in hopes of a comeback. 

Massachusetts used this to their advantage and put one in with less than a minute of play remaining in the game from Lily Sparrow, sophomore forward. 

The game ended in a 4-1 win for Massachusetts.

Looking ahead

Arizona women’s hockey will face ASU for their second matchup of the season in the Mullet Arena in Tempe on Feb. 1 at 7:35 p.m. Their last time seeing ASU resulted in a 2-1 loss for the