The University of Connecticut women’s hockey (3-4-1) returned home looking to get back in the win column after a 0-2 weekend at Princeton. The Huskies hosted Mercyhurst University (5-4-1) in a two-game series on Friday and Saturday, winning one and tying one.
UConn got the first power play opportunity four minutes into the first period on Friday after interference was called on Mercyhurst. The Huskies looked to take advantage early but were unable to capitalize with five shots on target. The Lakers responded just ten seconds after returning to full strength to go up 1-0 with 13:28 to go in the first period. Goaltender Taylor Belchetz didn’t let the early goal faze her, shutting down the Lakers’ chances with six saves to keep the Huskies within one. UConn generated good looks late, but none found the net. Mercyhurst took a one-goal lead into the intermission despite the Huskies dominating in shots, 17-9.
Just a little over two minutes into the second period, Claire Murdoch slid a tight pass to set up Maya Serdachny point-blank, finding the net to tie the game at 1-1. The senior has been dominant on the ice recently, marking her fourth goal in three games. The Huskies looked to ride that momentum, putting immediate pressure on the Mercyhurst goal. The Lakers won a faceoff hoping to respond, but the UConn defense held strong, with three Belchetz saves and two blocks by Jade Lore stopping the Mercyhurst stretch into the media timeout. The Huskies reclaimed control, and after a pair of good-looking shots, they broke through again, this time Peyton Anzivino firing in her first goal of the season to put UConn in front 2-1. The Huskies continued to control the puck for most of the remaining time, but could not add on, taking the lead into the third period.
Mercyhurst controlled the opening minutes of the third, but none of their looks got past Belchetz and the UConn defense. Freshman Caleigh Tiller continued her incredible start to the year with her team-leading fifth goal to give the Huskies a cushion, leading 3-1 more than halfway through the last period. An interference penalty on Mercyhurst put UConn back on the power play, looking to seal the game. Despite generating plenty of chances, the Lakers successfully killed the penalty but were in a race against the clock to get back in the game. Mercyhurst emptied the net at 18:09 but were turned away by strong defensive efforts by the Huskies, closing it out to win 3-1.
The visitors began Saturday afternoon by putting pressure on UConn’s goal, forcing Belchetz to make three saves in the opening two minutes. The Lakers sustained pressure for several more minutes but could not find the opening goal. The Huskies finally took control of the puck nine minutes into the period and made the most of the opportunity when Tiller delivered again after following through on a deflected shot by Grace Riley. The lead lasted just two minutes, however, as the Lakers put together a quick response to tie it back up at 1-1. Mercyhurst had plenty of chances to take a lead after heading to a power play, but the Huskies’ penalty kill held them off, keeping the score tied to end the first period.
UConn got their first power-play chance less than a minute into the second period and nearly reclaimed the lead when a strike by Livvy Dewar banged off the pipe. After killing the penalty, both sides tightened up defensively, denying many chances at flipping the score.
The gridlock continued into the third period until UConn was given a power play with a little over two minutes left in regulation. The Huskies were eager to end it but were unable to take advantage of the extra skater, only recording one shot on goal. The clock ran out soon after, sending the game to overtime.
The Huskies got another chance on the power play 1:23 into OT, but once again the Mercyhurst penalty kill stepped up, stopping four shots on goal and a block to keep the game going. Tiller was sent to the box for slashing with four seconds remaining, giving the Lakers a penalty shot for a chance to win it. Belchetz held strong when it mattered most to keep the score tied to seal the tie heading into penalty shots.
Mercyhurst converted their first two penalty shots, but Julia Pellerin and Murdoch responded to keep the shootout tied. The Lakers missed their third attempt, giving Tiller a chance to seal an impressive weekend. She slipped a shot past the goalie to find the back of the net, ending the week on a high note.
Tiller’s freshman season could not be off to a better start, moving up to six goals in the first eight games, and now a shootout win to add to her resume. She also recorded a season-high 17 faceoff wins at a 65% rate. Belchetz had a strong showing in goal, recording 63 total saves to just two goals allowed over the weekend.
Next up, UConn takes on its first Hockey East opponent in Holy Cross for a home-and-home series this week. The first game is in Worcester, Massachusetts at 7 p.m. on Thursday, and the second game will be played at Toscano Family Ice Forum at 6 p.m. on Friday. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.