The University of Arizona’s women’s hockey team split its two-game series against Lindenwood University. The Wildcats came away with a 5-3 win on Saturday, Feb. 8 in the Centene Community Ice Center. However, the following day on Sunday, Feb. 9, Arizona suffered a 4-2 loss in the Maryville University Hockey Center.
Game 1: Arizona vs. Lindenwood – Feb. 8
The first period of the game went scoreless as both teams tried to put themselves in a lead. Lindenwood got many shots off but none found the back of the net. The opposing team had yet to score entering the second period as Arizona’s defense looked for more offensive efforts.
The second period was brimming with energy and excitement. Arizona came out first, putting one in the back of the net in the third minute of play from Lilly Howell, a freshman forward. This was only the start for the Wildcats.
Seven minutes after their first goal, Rylee Armstrong, a Wildcat defenseman scored their second of the game.Howell scored for the second time shortly after Armstrong’s goal, putting the Wildcats at a comfortable 3-0 lead halfway into the second period of the game.
Putting them at even more ease, Wildcat Leila Schultz put a goal in, scoring her first of the game. At this point in the second frame, Arizona led 4-0 with three back-to-back goals.
With three minutes remaining in the period, Arizona snuck in its fifth and final goal of the match from Britney Bridel, a junior forward. The Wildcats’ held the 5-0 lead with an entire period to go.
However, Lindenwood tried to get back in the game with a goal by Madison Teague in the final minute of the second period. This closed out the period, leaving Arizona in the lead at 5-1 with one frame remaining of the game.
Arizona remained scoreless for the entire third period, attempting to hold Lindenwood off. However, the Lions were able to find an opening halfway through the period and score from Bee Nicholl.
In hopes of closing the gap, Lindenwood fired shots on Arizona, getting off 48 shots for the game. With less than three minutes remaining, the Lions found their third goal of the game from Ardyn Hawryshko.
As time ran out, Lindenwood was not able to catch up to Arizona. The final score was 5-3, a victory for the Wildcats.
Game 2: Arizona vs. Lindenwood – Feb. 9
Coming off a big win the night before, Arizona aimed to replicate its success in its second matchup against Lindenwood. The first period mirrored the previous game, with neither program was able to find its footing despite Lindenwood’s 54 total shots on goal and Arizona’s 25.
In the second period of the game, Lindenwood came out strong, desperate for a goal to put them in the lead. Halfway through the period, Julia Schoonbaert, a Lions forward, found the net for their first goal of the game.
Lindenwood followed up in the final two minutes of the game with another goal, putting the Lions ahead 2-0 before the third and final period of the game. The goal was scored by Hawryshko.
Entering the third period, Arizona looked for a comeback. Seconds into play, Howell scored Arizona’s first goal, her third of the two matches, putting Arizona in the running at 2-1. Lindenwood responded much later into the period with a goal from Hawryshko, her second of the game.
Still down by 2, Arizona’s Savannah Allen, a freshman defensemen, found the back of the net for the WIldcat’s second of the game. Despite their efforts, they weren’t able to close the gap separating them from Lindenwood.
With 11 seconds remaining in the game, Lindenwood’s Ava Bilton scored its fourth and final goal of the game. Ultimately, Arizona was never able to gain control of the lead, leaving the final score at 4-2 in favor of Lindenwood.
Looking ahead
The Wildcats will compete in their final two games of the season against rival ASU on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 21 at 1 p.m., both taking place in the Tucson Convention Center.
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