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 Melissa Boal scored the game-winning goal in the third period |
March 2, 2007
Pittsburgh, Pa. - The second-seeded Wayne State women's hockey team (15-17-1) is heading to its first-ever CHA Championship game after rallying past third-seeded Niagara (10-19-6), 3-2, Friday afternoon in the first semifinal of the CHA Tournament at the RMU Island Sports Center. The Warriors square off against No. 2 Mercyhurst, 5-2 victors over Robert Morris, for the championship game on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Niagara scored first at the 13 minute mark as Mary McKinnon shot just underneath the right corner post over junior goaltender Valery Turcotte's (Jonquiere, Quebec/Royal Metabetchouan) glove hand. The Warriors tied the contest at one with just 1:04 remaining in the first period as freshman defenseman Christine Jefferson (Nepean, Ontario/Merivale) shot a slapper past the glove hand of NU senior goaltender Allison Rutledge.
The Purple Eagles took their second lead of the afternoon when Ashley Riggs scored on a backhander on a breakaway with eight minutes remaining in the second period. That goal came about 10 seconds after Turcotte stopped a Charde Hoyle-Levy breakaway.
Entering the third period down 2-1, sophomore forward Melissa Boal (Pakenham, Ontario/Ottawa Raiders) took over, scoring both goals, including the game-winner with 13 minutes left in regulation. The Warriors played defensive hockey the rest of the game, with Turcotte making several brilliant saves, including a Riggs deflection from the slot.
Valery Turcotte was brilliant between the pipes for WSU
Head coach Jim Fetter was very pleased with his team's performance: "It was a total team effort. We were down twice to Niagara and we stuck with the game plan. We shot the puck more in the third period and it paid off. We just kept working and never gave up."
The Warriors will play No. 2 Mercyhurst for the CHA Championship on Saturday at 4 p.m.
