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 Sam Poyton recorded her second hat trick of the season to lead WSU's 4-3 come-from-behind vicotry over Niagara |
Feb. 3, 2008
Niagara, N.Y. - Behind Sam Poyton's (Hamilton, Ont./Stoney Creek Sabres) second hat-trick of the season, the Wayne State University women's hockey team erased a two-goal deficit to edge conference rival Niagara 4-3 Sunday afternoon at Dwyer Arena. With the win, WSU (16-6-2, 4-0-0 CHA) remains unbeaten in conference play and increased its school record win streak to eight games.
Poyton's hat trick was the third of her career earning No. 1 star of the game honors. No. 2 star junior Melissa Boal (Pakenham, Ont./Ottawa Raiders) and junior Lindsay DiPietro (Manotick, Ont./Ottawa Lady Senators) both tallied three assists while junior Christine Jefferson (Nepean, Ont./NCCP Junior Raider) added two helpers. Sophomore Katrina Protopapas (Chatham, Ont./Bluewater Hawks) also notched WSU's third goal of the game.
Senior Valery Turcotte (Jonquiere, Quebec/Royal Metabetchouan) pick up her 11th of the season with 24 saves and is now unbeaten in her last nine consecutive starts.
Niagara (6-16-4, 0-4-0 CHA) was led by No. 3 star of the game Ashley Riggs who scored the game's first two goals. Autumn Stuntz added a goal while Shannon Moulson recorded two assists. NU netminder Nikki Rudy finished the game with 19 saves.
Niagara got on the board first on a wrist shot from Riggs to take 1-0 lead for the only marker in the first period.
The paced picked up in the second period. Riggs added her second goal just 52 seconds into the frame with a power-play marker to give the Purple Eagles a 2-0 lead. Poyton then got WSU's offense going with her first goal from Boal at the 4:34 mark. A little over two minutes later, Poyton tied the game at 2-2 with a power-play marker on a feed from Jefferson. Protopapas then gave the Warriors their first lead at the 15 minute mark.
In the third period, Poyton completed the hat-tick with a breakaway goal from Jefferson and Boal to put WSU ahead 4-2 at the 5:58 mark. Niagara responded with a goal from Stuntz to pull within one at 4-3 at the 13:52 mark. However, WSU was able to hold Niagara at bay killing two penalties down the stretch to secure the 4-3 win.
WSU continues its conference road stint with a two-game series at Mercyhurst on Friday and Saturday (Feb. 8-9). Game times are set for 4:30 and 3:00 p.m.
