Box Score (PDF)

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Cornell women's hockey returned to ECAC Hockey action Friday afternoon as it hit the road for the first time in 2015 to take on Yale at Ingalls Rink in New Haven, Conn. Sophomore netminder Paula Voorheis was the difference in this competitive tilt, stopping all 41 Bulldog shots to notch her first shutout of the year in the Big Red's 2-0 victory.
 
Sophomore winger Caroline DeBruin marked the game-winner with 25-seconds remaining in the second period, lifting a backhander past Yale goaltender Jaimie Leonoff (L, 6-9-1) for her first goal of the season. Senior Emily Fulton sealed the game with an empty-net goal from beyond the red-line with just six-seconds remaining.
 
Coming off a big non-conference victory against sixth-ranked Boston University, Cornell (8-6-3, 6-2-2 ECAC Hockey, 3-1 Ivy League) knew it had a great opportunity for a big week with a road trip to Yale and Brown – both teams sitting in the bottom half of the ECAC Hockey standings. The Big Red dispatched the Bulldogs 6-2 earlier this season at Lynah Rink; however, this contest proved much more competitive. Yale (7-10-1, 4-7-0 ECAC Hockey, 1-3 Ivy League) came out with considerable jump, generating quality scoring chances throughout the game.
 
The opening period was somewhat sloppy for both teams, but both goaltenders stood on their heads to keep a pair of zeros on the board. The penalty issues that have plagued the Big Red at times throughout the season reared its ugly head in the first 20 minutes, as the team took three minors over a six-minute stretch during the back half of the period. Voorheis (W, 7-6-3) was up to the task to stop all 16 Yale shots, including several quality chances while the Bulldogs held the substantial powerplay advantage. She closed the period with two spectacular saves – one coming on a two-on-zero break that materialized as the Big Red attempted to exit the zone, while the other a sprawling save on a wrap-around attempt – to preserve the scoreless tie at the intermission.
 
The Big Red generated several grade-A chances of its own in the opening period, but was not able to find the back of the net despite firing 15 shots. Both Fulton and senior Jillian Saulnier were denied by Leonoff from point-blank range, while junior Cassandra Poudrier had a glorious scoring opportunity from between the circles blocked three times in quick succession.
 
The up-and-down hockey continued into the second period, as both teams continued to trade scoring opportunities. Finally, Cornell would be able to break through just before the intermission on DeBruin's goal with 25 seconds remaining. With Yale building momentum with a couple strong shifts in the Cornell zone, junior Taylor Woods cut off a pass in the right circle and sent an area pass to the Bulldog blue-line. DeBruin made a great reception of the puck and moved in one-on-one. She executed an excellent toe drag to shield the puck from Yale defender Aurora Kennedy, before shifting to her backhand to roof a shot over the glove of Leonoff on silky smooth display of skill. The Big Red would carry the 1-0 lead into the second intermission.
 
The Big Red would lean on Voorheis to protect the precarious lead in the final 20 minutes of play. The sophomore rose to the occasion with excellent saves on all three of Yale's top-line players Jackie Raines, Krista Yip-Chuck, and Phoebe Staenz in the opening three minutes of the period.
 
The Bulldogs looked to equalize on yet another powerplay opportunity midway through the period; however, it was the Big Red that would generate the best chance. After winning a puck battle on the left half wall, Woods again would spring a player on a stretch pass, trying to send senior captain Brianne Jenner in on goal. Jenner looked to have a clean break, but was tripped up by the defender, earning a penalty shot. The senior looked to double the Cornell lead, but was denied on the backhand on an excellent pad save by Leonoff.
 
Just minutes later, Yale looked to have their own break as junior Janelle Ferrara corralled a loose puck on the left wing boards and feathered a pass to a streaking Yip-Chuck in the crease. Poudrier made an excellent diving play to tip the puck away just before it could get to the stick of Yip-Chuck to deny the chance.
 
Yale would push for one final chance, as it pulled the goaltender and set up an attacking zone faceoff with 15 seconds remaining. Both squads called timeout to scheme for the final play, but Jenner did a nice job to win the faceoff behind the net to Poudrier who wrapped it up to Fulton on the left wing. Fulton sent a puck from just outside her own blue-line that found its way into the vacated net for her 10^th goal of the year.
 
The Big Red will conclude the road set tomorrow afternoon when it heads to Providence, R.I., to take on Brown. Opening puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Meehan Auditorium.