EAST LANSING, MI – The Division II Michigan State University women’s hockey team hosted Loyola University – Chicago for their first games of the new year. The Spartans picked up a win in the series split, to improve to 6-6-1 for the 2019-2020 season.
Saturday morning, despite the snowstorm, a hockey game took place at Munn Ice Arena. In period one goal was found from the Ramblers for the lead after twenty minutes of play. Not long into the second period of play senior Erin Panter would find herself with the puck in front of the net to send on home to tie the game for Michigan State. Freshman Sydney Crawford with the feed to Panter for the green and white goal. Loyola-Chicago would find their second goal mid-way through period two, and would hold onto that lead for the rest of the game for a win in game one. Freshman goaltender Katelyn Cygal was in net for Michigan State in game one of 2020.
Sunday brought a new day and a new game for Michigan State. Loyola grabbed the first two goals of the game for the lead mid-way through the second period. With four seconds remaining in the first period, sophomore Sydney Taylor would send a shot on net that would begin a frenzy in front. Freshman Marnie Waggoner would end the frenzy after finding the puck on the back side of the net, which she would send into an open net without any pressure. A 2-1 game, Michigan State with the momentum, senior Allyson Conley would follow through on the momentum and tie the game with a breakaway,
backhanded goal for her third of the season. Less than two minutes left in the game and the tie would be broken. Senior Alex Paquette would find open net to get the eventual game-winner after a pass from sophomore Cara Hodgins. Despite a Loyola pulled goalie for an extra attacker, the Spartans held off the Ramblers to complete the split of the series. Cygal was between the pipes for the first period before senior Danielle Williams would come in to assist in the win during the final two periods of play.
The Spartans go on a road trip to the East for a two game weekend, taking on George Washington University and a rematch with the US Naval Academy. Puck drop is set for Friday, January 24 at 10:20pm versus George Washington University and then Saturday against the Naval Academy with puck drop at 7:30pm.
Author: Mackenzie McMahon, Communications Manager
Photos: Katie Smith, Graphic Design Assistant