The Continentals had their work cut out for them entering this weekend’s two-game showdown versus nationally-ranked Middlebury. The Women’s Hockey team stood at 10–4–1 (7–1–0 in the NESCAC) before facing off with the Panthers on Friday night. The Continentals started the season with a perfect 7–0 record in NESCAC competition before dropping a game against Wesleyan on Jan. 20.

The first game over the weekend opened up with a Middlebury goal just over two minutes into the first period. While goals were hard to come by for nearly two periods, both teams erupted to net three goals and four penalties in the third period. Andrea Rockey ’19 attempted to lead the Continentals’ late comeback with a goal halfway through the third period, however the effort was stopped by a strong Middlebury defense. Rockey’s goal, her sixth of the season, was assisted by Michaela Giuttari ’20 on a pass from Taegan Blackwell ’19 (her sixth assist on the season).

Hamilton was 0–3 on power plays Friday night, compared to Middlebury’s 1–5. The Panthers also had the advantage in shots on goal (36–19) and face-offs won (37–18). Even though the Continentals’ star goalie, Sam Walther ’18 totaled 33 saves on Friday night, the Panthers held off the Continentals to take a 3–1 victory heading into the second game.

The Continentals sought a different outcome on Saturday night when they played Middlebury for the final time this regular season. The game was a defensive battle as Middlebury led in shots on goal (48–18) and the Continentals matched the Panthers in face offs won at an equal 25–25.

After just over 22 minutes without a score, Middlebury’s Rachael St. Clair scored a tip-in goal off a rebound for her first of the season. Hamilton’s Rockey, however, would not be denied, as she scored her second goal of the series (seventh on the season) with just over 10 minutes remaining in the second period. The goal was assisted by freshman forward Maddie Beitler ’21 (fifth on the season).

The score remained 1–1 at the second intermission and throughout the third period. Sam Walther had another outstanding performance in the net while tallying an incredible 46 saves (season high). To the Continentals’ dismay, the game ended with a goal from Middlebury’s Maddie Winslow just 44 seconds into overtime. The 2–1 loss puts the Continentals (7–3–0 in NESCAC games) behind Connecticut College (7–1–2 in NESCAC games) and Middlebury (8–1–1 in NESCAC games).

Freshman defender Emily Walther ’21 commented on this weekend’s games and the team’s position heading into the last stretch of the regular season. “Although we lost the first game and then lost in overtime the second game, we played as a team and really competed. [The way we played] gives us a good step going into the postseason where I’m confident we will see them [Middlebury] again and win down the road,” she said.

In their final non-conference game of the season, the Continentals squared off against the SUNY-Potsdam Bears. The Continentals met Potsdam back on Jan. 9, when the Bears took the 2–1 victory on their home ice. Tuesday’s game provided a great opportunity for Hamilton to prepare for their tough upcoming NESCAC schedule in the remaining weekends of the regular season.

The Continentals enacted revenge against the Bears on Jan. 30, posting a 3–0 shutout at Russell Sage Rink. Sam Walther was dominant between the pipes for Hamilton, stopping all 14 shots she faced to tally her seventh shutout of the season, the most amongst NCAA Division III goalies. Giuttari opened the scoring in the first period with her eighth goal of the season with assists credited to Rockey and Beitler. Olivia Hawes ’19 doubled the Hamilton lead in the first, and Hamilton’s leading scorer, Missy Segall ’21, picked up her 10th goal of the winter to seal the victory in the third period.

While, over this past weekend, Hamilton lost its third consecutive NESCAC game, the team ends the season with three two-game series against Bowdoin, Amherst and Connecticut College. Depending on how Middlebury fares in their final NESCAC games, the Continentals have a strong chance of regaining the number one or two seed heading into the postseason.

Students on campus have been ecstatic to watch the men’s and women’s hockey teams play this winter and are rallying around both teams in hopes of having another strong playoff push. “We are looking to finish the regular season strong against Bowdoin, Amherst and Connecticut College, which will all be good games,” Walther states. The Continentals are seeking a trip to their first ever NESCAC Championship this winter.