Women’s hockey splits weekend series

The UConn women’s hockey team split a series at home with Syracuse, defeating the Orange 4-2 on Friday before being shutout 2-0 on Saturday.

In Friday’s game at the Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum the Huskies scored four times. Freshman and leading goal scorer Michela Cava notched her fifth goal of the season at the 11:01 mark of the third period. Her goal gave the Huskies the lead, which they would not give up to give UConn their second victory of the season.

Head coach Heather Linstad has been impressed with the talent that Cava has shown so far this season. However this weekend series against Syracuse, Cava was not as consistent as she was in earlier games this year.

“I would say she was getting better, I think she struggled this weekend,” said Linstad. “I know she scored yesterday but I think she made some young mistakes and wasn’t consistent this weekend. With the weekend she had a Maine, she’s supposed to be doing that, I just don’t think she created opportunities for herself or her line mates today.”

Huskies flat in second game of two game tilt with Syracuse
In game two of the weekend series the Huskies could not find the back of the net and were outshot by the Orange, 36-13. UConn was also unable to capitalize on two power play chances. The first came in the second period when Syracuse’s Jacquie Greco was sent to the box for tripping. The other came with two minutes left in the game when Sadie St. Germain was called for checking.

Linstad felt that the offense was not as productive in the second game of the weekend series after scoring four goals the night before.

“I thought we were flat today,” said Linstad. “We didn’t win any one on one battles and we didn’t create the turnovers you have to create to obviously get on offense. We weren’t aggressive enough in our defensive zone to create breakouts and get the offense going.”

Moses makes 72 saves on the weekend
Junior goaltender Sarah Moses made 38 saves in Friday’s game against Syracuse and 34 saves in the 2-0 loss on Saturday. Moses currently has a save percentage of .943, which is good for second in Hockey East, behind Boston University goaltender Kerrin Sperry. Linstad was satisfied with the performance her goaltender provided the Huskies against the Orange.

“She’s playing pretty well,” said Linstad. “The biggest thing I would say for her is, she’s got to try to make more covers for us. She needs to read when the D is tired and make covers when she can but I thought she played pretty well.”

The Huskies will return to action on Friday, November 2 when they take on Northeastern in a home and home series. Puck drop on Friday is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Mark Edward Freitas Ice Form.