CLINTON, N.Y. - The Bowdoin College women's ice hockey team saw its five-game win streak snapped in a 3-1 setback to Hamilton College on Saturday afternoon.
Hamilton (9-12-1 overall, 6-8-0 NESCAC) recorded its first home win against Bowdoin in a series that dates back to 1996-97. Riley Smith broke a third period tie for Hamilton while Nikki Haskins and Abby Runyon scored the other goals for the Continentals. Becca Hazlett stopped 23 shots in net for Hamilton.
Colleen Finnerty scored the goal for the Polar Bears, and Dominique Lozzi was credited with the assist. Kayla Lessard made 21 saves in 58 minutes, 48 seconds in goal.
Smith's power-play goal gave Hamilton a 2-1 lead at 8:11 of the third. Emily Baxter turned and fed Smith from the right wing for a one-timer into the back of the net. Hamilton got out to an early lead just 2:05 into the first period when Haskins tallied her second goal in as many nights against the Polar Bears. After stealing the puck along the boards at center ice, Haskins skated in towards the net and slid the puck into the net for her fourth goal.
Bowdoin (11-8-3, 9-5-0) pulled even on Finnerty's fourth goal of the season with 1:30 left in the first period. After Hazlett initially saved a pair of shots in front, Finnerty collected the puck in traffic and banged home the rebound. The score was tied 1-1 at the first intermission.
Neither team was able to score in the second period thanks to strong goaltending at both ends. The Continentals had a chance to go ahead early in the period, but Lessard made three saves in the first 30 seconds. Hazlett responded with a tough save on a deflected shot by Mallory Andrews with 7:05 left in the period.
Lessard was pulled for an extra skater with 1:51 remaining, but the Polar Bears were unable to score the game-tying goal. Runyon added an empty-net goal for the Continentals with 44 seconds left when her shot from Hamilton's defensive zone trickled the length of the ice and across the goal line.
Bowdoin leads the all-time series 23-3-3. The Polar Bears had won their last five games. The Polar Bears, who have already clinched a home quarterfinal game in the upcoming NESCAC Tournament, will host Amherst College for two games this Friday and Saturday.
