AMHERST, Mass. – The Women's Hockey team was back on the road this weekend. After falling to host UMass and Liberty in the two games before, Davenport looked to end the weekend with a good performance against the University of Rhode Island.
 
Sunday, October 14
Final Score: Davenport 1 – Rhode Island 4
Records: DU (3-3), RI (2-1)
 
A GOOD START
Davenport was looking to have a different outcome compared to their previous two games over the weekend and came out playing inspired hockey. Their early attack paid off as Courtney Mulligan scored her second of the season off of a set up from Olivia Rudberg to give DU the lead just minutes into the contest. The two teams traded chances throughout the rest of the period. Rhode Island would be able to tie it up later in the period as Caitlin McGuirl slipped one past Julia Gaynor, and the two teams headed into the first intermission tied at one.
 
TOUGH BREAKS
The second period was more of the same from the first. Both teams trading opportunities, Gaynor made some big stops for DU, while the Rams' Abby Torres turned away the Panthers on the other end. Just before the halfway mark of the period, Madison Balutowski of the Rams broke the dead lock with a shot that just beat Gaynor. Later on in the period, Jillian Gonsalves would score her first goal of the season to put Rhode Island up by two. Towards the end of the period, the Panthers would take a too many men penalty. The mistake would prove costly, as Balutowski would score her second of the period on the power play. The Rams led DU by three heading into the final period.
 
Davenport would try to press in the third period, but Torres and the Rams' defense proved too much, as the Panthers fell for the third game in as many nights by a final score of 4-1.
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Gaynor was the busiest of all the Panthers throughout the weekend's showcase. After stopping 47 shots against Rhode Island, Gaynor in total made 169 saves over the weekend. "Julia played well all weekend," Head Coach Jerre Coretti said after the game. "Especially in this last game."
 
WHO'S NEXT?
The Panthers have another tough test next Sunday, as they travel East to take on the Bulldogs from Adrian College. Adrian lost last year in the National Championship Game to Liberty, and is looking to get back to the top once again this season. The game will take place at the famous Arrington Arena in Adrian, puck drop set for 12:30 p.m.
 
Story by: Tyler Kuehl
 
Picture credit: Tyler Triemstra