BOSTON, Mass.  –  Sophomore forward Ana Gustafson scored her first goal of the season and sophomore defender Margeaux Butters scored the second goal of the first period for UMass Boston Women's Ice Hockey as the Beacons fell in the 15^th Annual Codfish Bowl Consolation Game against fifth nationally-ranked Nazareth College, 4-2, on Saturday afternoon at Edward T. Barry Ice Rink.

THE BASICS

UMass Boston 2, #5 Nazareth College 4

UMass Boston (4-5-0)

Nazareth College (7-1-0)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Despite being outshot 21-12 in shots and 14-7 in shots on goal through the first 20 minutes, UMass Boston offense would make the most of their offensive opportunities. Just over five minutes into the game, freshman forward Sydney Leonard had a one-on-two chance that was turned away by junior goalie McKinley Hoff in net for Nazareth College.

An ensuing power play for the Golden Flyers would be quelled by the Beacons as junior goalie Victoria Kennedy stopped five shots on the two-minute advantage while the UMass Boston defense blocked another two shots, keeping the game scoreless. Gustafson would net the first goal of the game after a face-off win by Leonard saw the puck go right to the Clarkston, Michigan native who fired it past Hoff, giving the Beacons an early 1-0 lead.

Nazareth would respond just over four minutes later when graduate forward Abbey Luth took a puck near the blue line that was deflected by freshman defender Mia Boyd and caromed to Luth. The forward would toe drag past senior defender Abbie Budington and beat Kennedy one-on-one, to tie the game back up at one.

Nearing the end of the first period, UMass Boston would regain the lead, scoring their first power play goal of the season off another offensive zone face-off. Junior forward Katie Wilbert won the puck on the left side which kicked out to Butters near the blue line who rocketed a shot past Hoff, putting the Beacons back in front, 2-1, heading into the second period.

The Golden Flyers would knot the game back up at two just over halfway through the second period as a puck corralled by freshman defender Audrey Donahue was pushed along the boards to junior defender Julia Holmes up the left side of the ice. Holmes would locate graduate forward Nikolle Van Stralen in the neutral zone who streaked into the offensive zone and fired past the left side of Kennedy in goal.

With under five minutes remaining in the second frame, Nazareth would take their first lead of the contest, as sophomore defender Ivey Lyden and senior forward Ally Watrous teamed up to find senior forward Makenna Wiljanen on the breakaway for a shorthanded goal as the Beacons trailed 3-2 entering the final period.
 
UMass Boston would generate seven shots on goal through the opening five minutes and change of the third period, but Hoff would stop every Beacon opportunity. Nazareth would threaten to take a two-goal advantage with under 12 minutes to go as a shot from senior defender Alli Fujiyoshi squirted by Kennedy, but just outside of the left goal post.

Over the final 15 minutes of the third period, UMass Boston would generate four more shots on goal along with having a power play opportunity, but McKinely Hoff would stand strong in goal for Nazareth College and the Golden Flyers would add an empty net goal from senior defender Morgan Leuenberger to defeat the Beacons, 4-2.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Victoria Kennedy made 33 saves out of the 36 shots she faced from the Golden Flyers
• McKinley Hoff stopped 21 of UMass Boston's shots on goal out of the 23 attempts she faced
• The first period power play goal snapped an 0-for-26 start to the season for the UMass Boston unit
• This was the first game between the two teams in program history

WHO'S NEXT
The Beacons will continue their nonconference slate of games with a road matchup on Friday night against Worcester State University. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:10 PM. This will be the first time in program history that the two teams will face off against each other.