HAMBURG, NY – Hilbert College Women's Hockey improved to 2-0 on the young season Saturday afternoon, scoring three unanswered goals to defeat Neumann 4-2 and complete a weekend sweep at home. Brook Thompson made 19 saves, while four different Hawks found the back of the net.

Hilbert wasted little time getting on the board, as Kelsey Fuller scored just 18 seconds into the game off an assist from Victoria Koenig. The early goal gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead and energized an offense that would finish with 45 shots on goal.

The visitors answered late in the opening period with a short-handed goal at the 18:14 mark, sending the teams into the first intermission tied at 1-1. Despite outshooting Neumann 14-10 in the period, the Hawks were unable to carry a lead into the break.

Neumann took its first lead of the weekend early in the second period when it scored at 3:59 to move in front 2-1. Hilbert continued to pressure offensively throughout the frame, generating numerous scoring chances before finally breaking through on a power play late in the period. With 2:12 remaining in the second, Amelia Murphy finished a setup from Victoria Battaglia and Avery Bauman to tie the game at 2-2.

The Hawks took control in the third period. At the 5:21 mark, Sophia Gannon scored her first collegiate goal, converting an unassisted opportunity that ultimately stood as the game-winner. Hilbert continued to pressure the Neumann defense throughout the remainder of the period, outshooting the Knights 21-5 in the final 20 minutes.

Neumann pulled its goaltender during the final minutes in search of the equalizer, but Battaglia sealed the victory with an empty-net goal with 9.4 seconds remaining. The goal capped a two-point afternoon for Battaglia, who added an assist and won 15 faceoffs.

The Hawks finished with a 45-21 advantage in shots and converted one of four power-play opportunities. Bauman led all players with eight shots on goal, while Fuller added five shots and her first goal of the season.

In net, Thompson stopped 19 of the 21 shots she faced and helped Hilbert kill both Neumann power plays. The Hawks blocked 13 shots as a team in front of their netminder.

UP NEXT:
The Hawks remain at home as the team welcomes Utica to the Nike Base for a doubleheader next weekend, beginning with Friday's 7 pm matchup.