new haven, connecticut – Senior Captain Meredith Killian and emily king On Saturday, the Garnet Chargers ended a season that saw a lot of changes in the opening game of the 2024 ECAC Women's Hockey Championship with a historic goal in the second period of Union's 5-2 loss to #14 Yale. It led to Union record books and milestones achieved.
With just over two minutes left in the second period, King poised at the bottom of the circle to the left of Yale's goal as the Union went on a power play.King sends a pass to the center and Junior ashley adams The shot was deflected by Bulldogs goaltender Pia Dukaric, and Kylian dove on target and grabbed the rebound for Union's first goal in Division I postseason history.
With the assist, King set a new program record for all-time helpers with the 38th of his illustrious career at Union. King finished his Union career with 58 points, fourth in program history and second in the Division I era.
Yale dominated offensively from the beginning of the match, scoring 18 shots on goal out of 25 total attempts in the first half. Anna Bergman broke the scoreless period on Yale's shortened power play 8:39 into the game, and Naomi Boucher doubled the lead with 2:48 left in the first half, giving the hosts a 2-0 lead at first. It was time for a break.
The Bulldogs quickly extended their lead in the second, with Naomi Boucher putting her fourth shot of the season into the back of the net 2 1/2 minutes into the game. Just under seven minutes later, Bergman scored his second goal of the afternoon, giving the hosts a four-goal lead.
Kylian's goal put Union in a 4-0 hole and they moved up the table, with the leader's netfinder pulling his team back into the fight.
With 13:40 left in the third, freshman Killian hit a shot into the net from the point. Maddie Reaney and emily king Looking for a deflection in front of Dukaric. Neither could find the puck on its way to the net, but Reaney would spot a rebound off Dukaric's right pad to bring the Garnet Chargers back within two points.
Union continued to play strongly until the end, with 11 shots on goal in the final period, the most in 20 minutes of the match, but El Harche's goal in the final minutes ended the hosts' comeback. , ticketing the Bulldogs to the quarterfinals. .
Killian's two goals marked the senior's first multi-point game in 102 career games with Union. Reaney led the team with 12 points and was second with 19 points in his rookie season.
The loss ended a historic season in which the Garnet Chargers made the postseason for the first time in Division I history. 2nd grade Riley Walsh He set the program's Division I single-season points record (27) and became the first player in Union's Division I era to score 20 points in multiple seasons. Sophie Matsoukas He surpassed the 2,000-save mark, setting a new record for most wins for the program (21 wins) and becoming the third Union goaltender to do so.
