Meagan McKinley
Newark DE- The windy November Saturday night started off with a ceremony to honor the family members of the University of Delaware’s women’s ice hockey team who had served in the military. It was Military Appreciation Night, fitting as their opponent was the United States Naval Academy.
Wearing commemorative star spangled jerseys, the Blue Hens outskated, outshot, and eventually outscored the Midshipmen, emerging victorious 4-2.
While Delaware had three times as many shots as Navy in each period, Navy kept the fight even for the first two. Quite literally, as the score was tied at the end of each.
Delaware started the game with a trip called on No. 2 Callen Small at 2:27. No. 21 Kendall Dubin started off the scoring of the game with her first of the game at 5:45. Ten minutes later, No. 12 Rose Gasper would go top shelf on goalie Kendall Smythe to tie the game 1-1 off an assist from No. 7 Maggie Madigan.
The second period also started with a penalty, this time on Navy. No. 18 Ali Suciu sat in the box for a cross check five minutes in. Dubin scored her second goal of the game ten seconds into the powerplay, assisted by No. 12 Carlie Smythe and No. 7 Emily Hockey. Navy retaliated 25 seconds later, Madigan again finding Gasper for a neat goal. Delaware’s No. 14 Anna Nolan was called on high sticking halfway through the period though the midshipmen were unable to capitalize on the power play.
Though the third period started tied, as the others did, it did not stay that way. Just as broadcaster James Witherite mentioned a possible overtime at 11:38, No. 13, captain Mary Claire Newtown batted in a rebound off No. 10 Anna Schell. Navy would be called on their second penalty of the game at 14:30, Gasper sent off for tripping. Dubin collected her second power play goal, completing the hat trick at 15:49, off the second assist of the game for Hockey.
Though Navy tried to fight back, the Blue Hens held onto their lead to win 4-2. The two teams will come together again Sunday, November 4, with a puck drop at 3:15 at the Fred Rust Ice Arena.