The Massachusetts women’s club hockey team concluded its weekend with a 2-1 win over Michigan State University on Sunday. In a low-scoring, high-intensity matchup, the Minutewomen (17-7-2) achieved a comeback win against the Spartans (16-8-1-1) to extend their win streak to nine games.
The game’s winning goal was awarded to UMass off a bar-down goal by Joanna Zhu, recording her fourth of the season. Skating up the right wall, Julia Williams entered the zone with the puck, making a centering pass to the Vancouver native. After taking a couple more strides into the zone, the forward quickly took the shot, the puck going over Brooklyn Maddox’s head and into the back of the net.
With less than two minutes left in the second period, the Minutewomen broke through Michigan State’s goaltender following a rebound shot from Hannah Gromko.
Off the faceoff, Shelby Little sent the puck to the corner boards. Breaking out of a board battle, the puck trickled behind the net, where it was passed to Kelsie Partridge. Whiffing the shot, the puck slid towards Ivorie Arguin, who made a spinning shot that was saved by Maddox. Collecting the rebound, Gromko took advantage of the senior’s out-of-place positioning and backhanded it into the net, tying the game.
The forward’s goal in Sunday’s game marked her 12th of the season, and Arguin’s assist marked her 15th helper on the season. Both forwards have recorded 20 or more points this season.
“I was impressed with our energy in our third game in three days and our discipline to stay within the structure of our game and to consistently work hard, shift after shift,” head coach Bill Wright said.
The Spartans opened the scoring in the first period when Olivia Reineck chased a puck into the offensive end, pressuring UMass defender Sara Dunford to pass it behind the net. Intercepting the pass, Ava Schuster collected the puck, wrapping it around the net and past Sarah Matthews left skate. The freshman’s goal marks her fourth of the season.
The Michigan State goal came shortly after the Minutewomen’s failed attempt to convert on a two-on-one breakaway chance with 14:10 left in the first. Zhu advanced up the ice, sending a pass at the blueline to Gromko. The forward carried the puck into the offensive zone, taking a shot that rang off the crossbar and out.
“We had a little bit of a slow start [to the season], but everyone’s working really hard and doing really well here lately,” Wright said. “It’s been a team effort for sure.”
With less than two minutes remaining in the game, the Spartans pulled their goalie to tie the game and send it to overtime. Despite several good chances, UMass’ goaltender was able to remain strong and prevent any pucks from getting through her.
In the game on Sunday, Matthews recorded a .968 save percentage, marking her third start of the weekend. Saving over 90 shots throughout the weekend, the senior has acted as a critical piece of the Minutewomen’s game. In her 20 starts, the captain has a 12-7-1 record with only four games remaining in the season.
“Having [Matthews in net] is always a nice safety for us,” Wright said. “She is our backbone.”
The Minutewomen are on their way to a two-game weekend against Niagara University, the first game being held at 6:20 p.m. on Feb. 13. The Minutewomen last saw the Purple Eagles on Sep. 27 and 28, where they recorded their second tie and win of the season.
Olivia Pang can be reached at [email protected] and followed on X @OliviaPang18.
