AMHERST, Mass. -- Natalie Stott stopped all three shots she saw in a shootout and Cara Mancini scored in the shootout for the second consecutive day Saturday night to lift #4 Amherst past Trinity, 1-0.
The game will go into the books as a 1-1 tie, as Friday night's contest ar Amherst did. Amherst is now 14-2-5 overall and 7-1-5 in conference play. The Mammoths travel to Hamilton next Friday and Saturday to conclude the regular season.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
The Mammoths controlled much of the opening period, generating sustained pressure early and earning two power-play opportunities in the first 10 minutes. Amherst peppered the net with chances from Bea Flynn, Maeve Reynolds, and Marie-Eve Marleau, but Trinity goalkeeper Madeline Carter stood firm. At the other end, Stott was sharp, turning aside multiple Trinity looks to keep the game scoreless through 20 minutes.
Amherst broke through midway through the second period. At 5:29, Gretchen Dann opened the scoring with a power-play goal, finishing a setup from Marleau and Cara Mancini to give Amherst a 1–0 lead. The Mammoths continued to push following the goal, generating several quality chances as play opened up. Dann's shot from the right point found its way through a maze of Bantams and Mammoths in front of the goal and into the net.
Trinity responded later in the period, capitalizing on a power play of its own. At 13:44, Caroline Holm tied the game at 1–1 with a goal assisted by Meena Al-Kadiri and Annabelle Merkel. The remainder of the period saw both teams trade chances, but neither side was able to regain the lead. Stott remained steady if not spectacular, thwarting a Trinity 2-on-1 short-handed opportunity late in the stanza.
The third period remained scoreless as both defenses tightened. Amherst created multiple looks off the rush and sustained zone time on special teams, while Stott anchored the defensive effort, calmly handling Trinity's late pushes to force overtime.
Overtime followed a similar script, with Amherst generating several of the better chances. Shots from Marleau and Emily Hohmann tested Carter, but the extra frame ended without a goal.
The game was decided in the shootout. Stott delivered back-to-back saves, and Mancini converted her attempt to give the Mammoths the advantage. Stott sealed the win by stopping all Trinity attempts, completing a perfect shootout performance.
BY THE NUMBERS:
Stott finished the game with 26 saves across regulation and overtime, anchoring a composed defensive effort. Amherst's combination of disciplined special teams, consistent pressure, and strong goaltending ultimately earned the shootout victory.
