Box Score
BOSTON, Mass. – Despite an early first period goal by UMass Boston, the host Beacons were unable to contain nationally-ranked Amherst College, as the Purple and White earned a 4-2 non-conference decision Friday evening in the Beacons Ice Arena.
THE BASICS
UMass Boston 2, Amherst College 4
UMass Boston (5-6-0)
Amherst College (6-0-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Facing one of only two undefeated teams in all of Division III women's hockey, the Beacons were very much up to the challenge, as they looked to close out 2015 with a huge upset of the two-time national champions.
The Beacons came out firing in the opening minutes, and caught Amherst by surprise, when senior Jenny Currie (Chelmsford, Mass.) fired home the contests first goal. The senior forward rifled the puck into the top corner, beating Amherst's Sabrina Dobbins.
On the other side of the ice, the Beacons defense led by sophomore netminder Rachel Myette (Pembroke, Mass.) did a tremendous job holding Amherst scoreless through the first 20 minutes of play. Myette would combine for 15 stops through the first frame, as the Beacons went into the first intermission with the 1-0 lead and all the momentum in their corner.
In the second period, the Beacons had to hold off an early rush by Amherst. Myette, who came-up with a pair of huge saves in the closing minutes of the first, to keep the Purple and White scoreless continued to roll in the second. Amherst finally got on the board, when the nation's leading scorer in Alex Toupal snuck the puck past Myette to even the score at 1-1.
Late in the period, the Beacons would get whistled for a slew of penalties, which would then result in an Amherst PP goal with a minute to play before the second intermission.
Despite trailing by one, the Beacons showed tremendous resolve as they took the ice in the third. Not backing down even for a moment, UMass scored the equalizer at the 8:20 mark, with Currie tallying an unassisted marker.
Unfortunately, the Purple and White would respond with a pair of goals in the span of two minutes to secure the victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Myette tallied 42 saves in the loss, which is a career best for the sophomore
- Dobbins improved to 6-0-0 on the year and made 28 saves for Amherst
- On the power-play Amherst finished 1-for-5, while UMass went 0-for-3
- Kristen Embrey (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) assisted on the Beacons first goal in the first period
- All-time Amherst is now 3-1 when facing the Beacons
- Friday's contest was the first between UMass and Amherst since the 2006 season
WHO'S NEXT
The Beacons will return to action on January 4 when they host SUNY Canton at 1 p.m. on the first day of the 9th Annual Codfish Bowl Tournament.
