GENEVA, N.Y. – Senior Olivia Petito (Jacksonville, Fla.) made 27 saves and classmate Georgia McLellan (Kamloops, British Columbia) fired a game-high eight shots, but William Smith College held off Plymouth State University, 1-0, in a New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) women's ice hockey game at Geneva Recreation Complex Skating Rink on Friday night.
 
In the first meeting between the two programs, the Herons used a late first period goal to take the lead and relied on solid goaltending and defensive play to hold on for the victory.
 
Plymouth State dips to 4-5-1 (2-3-0 NEHC), while William Smith improves to 3-8-0 and 2-5-0 in conference play.
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 0, William Smith 1
  • Plymouth State (4-5-1, 2-3-0 NEHC)
  • William Smith (3-8-0, 2-5-0 NEHC)

How it Happened:

• The action started slowly for the Panthers in the opening period as the visitors only mustered four shots on net in the frame, but Petito made several good stops.
• The Herons were able to break through at 17:35 when the puck came off the half boards to a William Smith skater, whose turnaround shot found the back of the net.

• The Panthers nearly squared the game seconds later as junior Meghan Hamilton (Walpole, Mass.) skated in from the left side for a quick wrist shot that was kicked aside and the Herons' goaltender was able to cover up before senior Siri Brett (East Wenatchee, Wash.) could cash in the rebound.
• Things went back-and-forth during the second period with neither team able to light the lamp.
• Plymouth State had a power play chance midway through the third period, but the Panthers were unable to convert.
• PSU pulled its goalie for the final 1:17 and had a flurry of shots in the final seconds, but the William Smith netminder was up to the challenge.

By the Numbers:

• William Smith held a slight 28-20 advantage in shots on goal.
• Petito posted 27 saves, including 12 in the final period. She has at least 22 stops in every game this season.
• PSU blocked eight shots, including two apiece from juniors Abigale McGee (Bozeman, Mont.) and Addie Swanson (Eagle River, Alaska).
• The teams were evenly matched in the faceoff circle, with PSU winning 22 draws and the Herons winning 20.
• The game marked the first ever meeting between the two teams.

 
Up Next:

• Plymouth State remains in western New York tomorrow (Dec. 4) to face #3 Elmira College in another NEHC contest. Puck drop is set for 3:00 p.m.