Box Score (PDF) | Highlights | Postgame Comments

ITHACA, N.Y. – The women's hockey team survived a late third period surge from Rensselaer on Saturday afternoon to earn two ECAC Hockey points with a 3-2 win at Lynah Rink. The win snapped the Big Red's three-game winless streak against the Engineers.

Freshman Amy Curlew opened the scoring 6:21 into the first frame when she backhanded a Paige Lewis pass from the corner past the glove of Lovisa Selander for the 1-0 lead. It was Curlew's first tally in 12 games.

Rensselaer tied the game six minutes later with a power-play goal when Katie Rooney finished a feed from Shayna Tomlinson in the crease.

"This was the kind of game we've come to expect from these two teams," said head coach Doug Derraugh. "We haven't had success against them in our last three and it was nice for us to find a way to get it done today in another hard-fought game."

Co-captain Micah Hart would put Cornell back on top, though, with just over a minute to play in the first period when she potted her fifth power-play goal of the season. The sophomore was fed open by senior Hanna Bunton at the top of the right circle and wristed a shot between the left post and Selander's glove. It was Hart's second-straight game with a power-play goal, with Bunton earning an assist on both goals.

Freshman Kristin O'Neill nearly put the Big Red up by two as a Cornell power-play expired but Selander made an out-stretched, glove save on the freshman's one-time attempt at the left post.

Minutes later at the other end of the ice, the Big Red got a big split-save from Marlène Boissonnault on 2-on-1 rush to enter the third period with a 2-1 lead. Cornell finished the second period strong, outshooting Rensselaer 20-5 overall, but couldn't get any more pucks past Selander.

Sophomore Diana Buckley finally helped Cornell solve the Selander puzzle for a third time in the third period when she camped out near the crease and slammed home a feed from a driving O'Neill.

"I think that last goal was a typical, player driving to the net and getting some traffic in front," said Derraugh. "You have to get those second opportunities [on Selander] and you've got to try and take away the eyes and get those tips."

"I like that style of play," said Buckley. "I think it enables us to really bring the energy up on the bench."

The Engineers didn't fade away quietly and were able to capitalize with 1:18 to play. With Selander on the bench in favor of an extra attacker, Shayna Tomlinson was able to clean up a rebound in the slot, beating Boissonnault blocker side through traffic.

The Big Red was lights out for the final 1:18 of the game, with Buckley's goal standing up for her second career game-winner after a series of saves from Boissonnault. Curlew and Hart both finished the game with one goal and one assist.

Cornell (16-6-3, 12-3-3 ECAC) held the final 42-25 edge in shots on goal over Rensselaer (9-19-2, 6-11-1 ECAC). Boissonnault (9-1-1) finished with 23 saves while Selander (9-17-2) stopped 49 for the Engineers.

The Big Red will hit the road next weekend and travel to Yale and Brown for the final two Ivy League games of the season.