Women’s Hockey Falls to No. 15 Harvard in Season-Opener

Friday, October 21

Cambridge, Mass. / Bright-Landry Hockey Center

6:00 P.M.

Dartmouth College

0-1-0, 0-1-0

Harvard

1-1-0, 1-1-0

Dartmouth Big Green

Harvard Crimson

Photo by: John and Matt Risley

Women’s Hockey Falls to No. 15 Harvard in Season-Opener

10/21/2022 8:42:00 PM | Women's Ice Hockey

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Highlights

The Big Green outshot the Crimson 26-22 over the course of the game

By: Francis Forte

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Dartmouth women's hockey team dropped its season-opening game against the Harvard Crimson on Friday night. The Big Green outshot the Crimson throughout the contest but fell by a score of 3-0 at Bright-Landry Hockey Center.

Dartmouth battled to create chances and challenged Harvard's goaltender Alex Pellicci with 26 shots on goal. The Big Green were strong on the penalty kill, thwarting four power play opportunities for the Crimson. Dartmouth conceded only two shots on goal in eight minutes when down a player.

Four freshmen made their Big Green debut against the Crimson, as Vanessa Stamper, Izee Powell, Maura Fiorenza and Meredith Jensen suited up for their first collegiate games. Maggie Emerson made 19 saves between the pipes for Dartmouth.

Harvard got on the board 11 seconds into the opening frame to take an early lead. An outlet pass off the opening draw from Jade Arnone sent Anne Bloomer and Kristen Della Rovere on a 2-on-0, which Della Rovere cashed in.

Dartmouth's best chance to equalize the game in the first 20 minutes came with 11:21 left in the period, as bench minor penalty was assessed to Harvard. The Big Green made four shots with the advantage but could not find the back of the net.

Despite the early goal, the Big Green dominated the remainder of the first period. Dartmouth tested Pellicci with 12 shots and brought sustained pressure in the Crimson's defensive zone throughout the frame.

Dartmouth and Harvard played a much more even second period, with chances flowing for both sides. The Big Green penalty kill was challenged twice in the second frame. Dartmouth was up to the task, refusing to allow a shot on goal over four power play minutes for the Crimson.

After 19 minutes of back-and-forth play, the Crimson scored twice in the final minute of play to take a commanding 3-0 lead.

A cross-crease pass from Sophie Ensley set Ellie Bayard up for a shot which found its target to increase the lead to two. Moments later, a scrum in front of Emerson's net led to a goal for the Crimson with two seconds remaining.

The third period once again featured opportunities for both clubs, as Dartmouth looked to cut into Harvard's three-goal lead. Neither team was able to maintain sustained pressure through the first 10 minutes of the final frame.

The Big Green continued to challenge Pellicci with shots on goal, but Harvard's defense was able to limit second-chance opportunities as time ticked away. Dartmouth had numerous opportunities and looked to maintain offensive control, but a penalty with 3:56 left in the contest stifled the Big Green attack.

Harvard created a pair of chances in the final two minutes of the game, including an opportunity off the stick of Harvard's Courtney Hyland which Emerson turned aside. The Big Green were unable to solve Pellicci, who earned her second-career shutout.

The Big Green trail in the all-time series against Harvard 54-43-3 following Friday's loss.

Dartmouth is set to open Thompson Arena with a pair of ECAC Hockey tilts next weekend. The Big Green first battle Brown October 28 before hosting the Yale Bulldogs October 29. Both contests will be streamed on ESPN+ and Stretch Internet internationally.