NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. -- The University of Michigan Dearborn Women's hockey team travels to New York to take on Niagara University in a two-game series on Friday (Nov. 22). The women Wolverines battled hard but fell short in both games, losing 2-1 and 4-3 in overtime.
The Wolverines started strong in game one, shutting out Niagara in the first period and keeping the game scoreless. However, Niagara scored first in the last seconds of the second period, putting them on top 1-0 with four seconds left in the second. Niagara scored again five minutes into the third period on a short-handed goal, but the Wolverines didn't let this stop them.
The Wolverines scored 30 seconds later with a powerplay goal from forward Maya Ferracciolo. Her goal came unassisted and hopefully sparked the Wolverines' needed comeback. However, this would be the only goal the Wolverines ended up scoring. Kenna Borso gave a remarkable effort in net, stopping 28 of the 30 shots she faced.
The Wolverines were looking for redemption in game two and send the team home happy as they headed into their Thanksgiving break.
Niagara would open up by scoring two unanswered goals in the first period, putting them on top immediately with a 2-0 lead after the first stanza. Then, just a minute and a half into the second, they would score again, putting Niagara up 3-0 early in the second. The Wolverines seemed out of it, but a goal from Charlise Wharram, two minutes late, put the fire in the Wolverines that they needed to get going. Later in the game, being down 3-1, a goal from Finnia O'Neill Di Mascio would bring the Wolverines to within one and give them hope going into the final period.
The Wolverines came out fast and with a vengeance. They scored early, with a goal from captain Cadence Pero, to tie the game 3-3 and make it a whole new hockey game. After battling hard the rest of the third, they sent the game into overtime. However, Niagara scored at 3:23 to end the Wolverine's comeback.
The Wolverines are back in action in their two-game home series against Lake Superior State University on Friday (Dec. 6), as they get a well-deserved week of rest with Thanksgiving break.
