Katie Zimmerman '13 scored two goals and had two assists to lead Hamilton College to a 5-2 win against Williams College in a New England Small College Athletic Conference women's ice hockey game at Williams' Chapman Rink on Feb. 5.
Zimmerman leads the team with 10 goals. She posted the first four-point game of her college career, and her first multi-goal game this season. Abby Runyon '13 chipped in one goal and one assist for Hamilton. Meredith Bitterman '12 was credited with two assists, and Becca Hazlett '13 made 28 saves, including 13 in the third period.
Kristen Tubbs '12 and Hannah Systrom '12 netted a goal apiece for Williams.
Hamilton (9-10-0 overall, 5-7 NESCAC) struck for the first time early in the game, when Zimmerman carried the puck out of the low left corner. Through traffic, she slid a low shot that found the back of the net only 6:54 into the first period.
The Continentals' momentum continued as Runyon gave Hamilton the 2-0 lead less than 30 seconds later. Zimmerman and Bitterman worked the puck around behind the net, then found Runyon in the low left circle. Runyon wristed a shot on the ice that eluded Eph goalie Rachel Nguyen '14 for her fourth goal.
Hamilton kicked off the scoring early again in the second period, taking advantage of their first power play at 1:34. Zimmerman, situated in the low right corner, centered a pass to Gigi Fraser '14 in the slot. Fraser sent a hard pass to Nikki Haskins '14 on the left post, who tapped home the redirect for her fourth goal and the 3-0 Continentals cushion.
The Ephs (4-11-1, 3-8-1) scored their first goal about halfway through the middle frame. Nicolle Perry '13 sent the puck from the low corner out to Sam Weinstein '13 on the blue line. Weinstein walked the puck in, then ripped a slap shot that was stopped by Hazlett. Tubbs picked up the rebound and tapped home the deflection for the power-play goal.
Williams' comeback continued early in the third period, when the Ephs were able to convert on another power play 2:49 into the final frame. Weinstein carried the puck across the blue line to the right side, rocketing a slap shot on net. Hazlett turned away the initial attempt, but Systrom was waiting on the left post, and able to get a stick on the rebound to make it 3-2.
The Continentals capitalized on a power-play opportunity shortly after to regain their two-goal advantage. Hamilton worked the puck around high on the left side before Zimmerman wristed a shot that was stopped by Nguyen. Stephanie Miguel '11 picked up the loose puck and netted her seventh goal of the season for a 4-2 lead.
The Ephs almost made it 4-3 with five minutes left. On a 2-on-1, a Williams forward wristed a shot that was turned away by Hazlett. A sliding Weinstein almost knocked the loose puck home, but after the ensuing pile-up Hamilton was able to prevent the goal.
With 53 seconds remaining, the Continentals clinched the victory with Zimmerman's second goal of the day. After a turnover in Hamilton's defensive zone, Zimmerman carried the puck the length of the ice on a breakaway. She faked a shot that froze Nguyen, then sent a high wrister in for the score.
Williams held a 30-28 edge in shots. The Continentals were 2-for-7 on the power play, and the Ephs were 2-for-5.
Hamilton travels to Utica College for a non-conference game on Tuesday, Feb. 8.
