D-III Women’s Weekend in Review: Utica & Nazareth dual it out, Oswego’s arrived, & what’s up in the NESCAC?

This past week in DIII Women’s hockey we got to see some fun matchups and a few teams making themselves known. We see some early upsets in the NESCAC as the early ranked teams are falling to the few surprise teams so far.

Here’s your review of the weekend!

The Utica/Nazareth rivalry lives up to its history once again!

#7 Utica vs Nazareth – Nazareth 4-1 & Utica 2-1 OT

These games between these teams have given us nothing but excitement over the past few years regardless of the record. Nazareth, the back-to-back-to-back UCHC champions, had a stunning 3-2 loss to SUNY Morrisville earlier this season, while Utica entered the game unbeaten, including a win over ranked-Elmira.

Amazingly enough, as close as these games have been, Nazareth entered the weekend leading the overall series 13-1-1… In 2023, these teams played three times, each game went to overtime, one going to double-overtime. Safe to say these teams always give us a thriller.

Nazareth 4-1

In game one (at Nazareth), Nazareth’s goaltender McKinley Hoff nearly pitched a shutout, only allowing one goal on 23 shots in the victory.

The scoring began late in the 1st period, Ella Cedrone scored her first of two goals at 16:19, giving the Golden Flyers the 1-0 lead heading into the middle frame.

Cedrone doubled the lead at 7:06 of the 2^nd period, her teammate Allie Zack tripled the lead about ten minutes later (16:21), giving Nazareth a commanding 3-0 lead.

Utica’s Hailey Modlin scored the lone Pioneer goal a rapid 46 seconds into the 3^rd period, but it wasn’t enough as Nazareth’s Alexis Jones sealed the deal with an empty netter in the final minute of the game. Nazareth continues their series-dominance, winning 4-1.

Utica 2-1 OT

In game two (at Utica), both goaltenders played exceptional, Utica’s Angela Hawthorne making 28 saves on 29 shots, while McKinley Hoff made 26 on 28 shots.

This game was more penalized than the previous game which only had three, this game had seven, four on Utica & three on Nazareth.

The 1^st period was scoreless, the 2^nd period had one goal which was scored by Utica’s Maya Jerome on the powerplay at 15:21, giving the Pioneers the slim lead.

Nazareth would answer late in the 3^rd period, Meredith Boettcher scored on the powerplay at 14:10, tying the game 1-1.

We would head to overtime, then in the final minute (4:17.8), the Pioneers scored the winner, it was Kaci Ryder who might’ve broke the dam that’s been holding Utica back versus Nazareth for years. Utica gets the 2-1 OT victory.

Oswego has arrived

Previously ranked #15 Oswego State (5-0-1) has been building something the past few years under fourth-year Head Coach Mark Digby. They currently remain undefeated and find themselves ranked #10 in the Week Four Poll, which includes a tie vs rival #6 Plattsburgh and a recent victory over #8 Cortland. They’ve also handed Morrisville their lone loss of the season, while also beating Canton who defeated (at the time) #2 Adrian on opening night.

Their most recent victory as mentioned was against #8 Cortland. The Lakers defeated the Red Dragons 4-1 at home, outshooting the Dragons 34-28, goaltender Lexi Levy made 27 saves in the victory while Cortland star goaltender Molly Goergen was pulled just through two periods, giving up four goals on 22 shots.

Oswego jumped out to a brisk 2-0 lead, Helen Vandamme scored at 6:28, then Erika Parenti doubled the lead just two minutes later (8:41). The Lakers would hold this lead until the 3^rd period when they’d pour it on, scoring two more.

Mack Hull scored on the powerplay a rapid 50 seconds into the final period on the powerplay, which would then be doubled as Tessa Mucha scored less than two minutes later (2:01), giving Oswego the 4-0 lead.

Cortland’s Kira Cook scored the lone Red Dragon goal at 5:10 of the 3^rd period, the Lakers get a commanding 4-1 ranked win over a SUNYAC rival.

What’s up in the NESCAC?

The NESCAC has had quote the mix of parity this season on both the men’s and women’s side, but the topic of discussion here Is on the women’s side of things.

Bowdoin and Trinity have come out firing, the Polar Bears stand with a perfect 4-0-0 record, while the Bantams hold a 5-0-0 record. Most recently, Bowdoin swept #12 Colby, winning 2-0 & 3-2 in OT. Trinity swept #13 Hamilton, winning 2-0 & 3-0.

Currently, the favorites, Middlebury & Amherst sit a perfect 4-0-0 as we likely expected, but Trinity and Bowdoin are right with them.

Hamilton, who started the season ranked in the top 10, are now 0-4-0 with two other losses to Middlebury. Colby sits 0-2-0 in league play.

Bowdoin will resume league play on January 10^th, 2025, when they face a beast of a schedule, facing Trinity 2x, Middlebury 2x, & Amherst 2x.

Trinity will head to Wesley Chapel, Florida this weekend where they play in the Sunshine Turkey Classic with #5 Adrian, #9 Utica, & #12 Norwich, they face Adrian on Friday at 7pm ET.

They’ll resume league play January 10, 2025, as well, but the biggest matchups will be in February as they face Middlebury 2x & Amherst 2x.

This should be a fun ride from one of the best leagues in women’s DIII hockey!