Nov. 4, 2006

Stats

Detroit, Mich. - Sophomore forward Sam Poyton (Hamilton, Ontario/Stoney Creek Sabres) scored the game-winning goal with just 19 seconds to go in the game as the Wayne State women's hockey team defeated visiting Cornell, 4-3, at City Ice Arena Friday night. The Warriors improved to 2-5 on the season, while the Big Red dropped to 1-3-1.

Poyton faked a shot and pulled back and lifted the puck over Cornell goaltender Beth Baronick's glove hand. It was Poyton's first goal of the season. With Poyton's point tonight, she moved into third place all-time in career points with an even 50.

The Big Red jumped out to a 2-0 lead midway through the second period before sophomore forward Melissa Boal (Pakenham, Ontario/Ottawa Raiders) scored two unanswered to tie the game heading into the third period. The goals were Boal's team-leading ninth and tenth goals of the year. Boal needs only two more goals to become the all-time leader in goals. She currently has 33 goals, while former Warrior standout Kelly Zamora (2001-05) had 34.

Cornell would take a 3-2 lead six-and-a-half minutes into the final period as Emma Chipman scored off of two of her own rebounds and beat junior netminder Tiffany Thompson (Dryden, Ontario/Thunder Bay North Hawks). It was Thompson's second start of the season.

But the Warriors would tie the game again as freshman defenseman Chelsea Burnett (Ridgeway, Ontario/Stoney Creek Sabres) scored her second goal of the season. There was a scramble in front of the net and Burnett caught the loose puck and lifted it over Baronick.

It was then Poyton's heroics, as it was her seventh-career game-winner. The Big Red pulled Baronick for an extra attacker, but could not get the equalizer.

Thompson made 15 saves for her first win of the season, as Baronick stopped 26 shots.

Wayne State was three-for-five on the power-play, while Cornell was one-for two.

The same teams will face off tomorrow, Saturday, November 4, at 4:00 p.m.