The Geneseo women's hockey club had an impressive win over the University of Buffalo's club team last Saturday, 4-3, in front of a supportive home crowd of over 150 people at the Wilson Ice Arena.
The win gave the club an undefeated home record and improved their overall record to 4-6.
Buffalo opened the game, scoring with 1:59 remaining in the first period. Winger Tori Gajwski slipped the puck through several players in front of the net and past senior Geneseo goalie Melissa Galvin.
After the first period, it started looking like a repeat of Geneseo's game two weeks ago against Buffalo, in which the Lady Knights lost 5-3.
"In our first game against UB, things just weren't clicking," said senior winger Nicole Shattuck.
Buffalo extended their lead just two minutes into the second period with a vicious slap shot from the left point by team captain Shoshana Levine.
Geneseo regrouped and came back with a vengeance, however, scoring three goals off of 13 shots in the period.
A minute later, Buffalo was penalized for tripping and Geneseo capitalized on the ensuing power play. Freshman Rachael Scott centered the puck from behind the net where it was picked up by fellow freshman Claire Bould who deposited the puck, putting Geneseo on the scoreboard.
Seven seconds later, Geneseo tied the game up. Scott earned a goal of her own with assists from sophomore Erin Zalewski and senior Cara Nelson.
Geneseo took the lead for good with 7:51 left in the second, as Zalewski scored on an assist from senior winger Jess Springett.
Buffalo had several scoring chances in the rest of the period but Geneseo's defense held strong. Galvin made several key saves, finishing with 23 total. Geneseo's final goal was scored 2:34 in to the final period with an unassisted goal by freshman Megan Hurley.
As the game winded down, Buffalo pulled their goalie in an attempt to close the two-goal gap. The team fell short, managing only one more goal with just 15 seconds left.
Shattuck summed up the game, saying, "We came in to this game ready to play. It was the last game for a lot of us and we knew at the end we had to put it away."
Senior Emily Grisante came out to support her friends in the final home game of their careers. "They were a little shaky at first but really pulled through and delivered an exciting game to watch," she said.
The team's season continues with several away games. The club travels to Batavia and Brockport before playing in a regional tournament at the end of the month.