NEW KENSINGTON, PA — Abi Fuzaylov’s shot at 9:34 of the overtime period lifted the Chatham Cougars to their first-ever postseason win in a 4-3 victory over the Alvernia Golden Wolves Thursday afternoon at Pittsburgh Ice Arena.
The Cougars opened up the scoring as Sydney Collins found the back of the cage early, netting her fourth on the season at the 6:00 mark. Chatham continued to pepper Julia Beaven, but the two teams remained deadlocked until Grace Pavlovich scored at the 14:36 mark of the first.
Alvernia fought back in the second and broke onto the scoresheet as Abby Reisinger’s quick rising shot beat Lilly Rogers to cut the lead to one at the 13:24 mark- only to watch the Cougars attack increase. A late period scramble gave the Golden Wolves a chance to tie and Jasmine Hughes’ goal at 17:45 did so.
Alex Robinson gave Alvernia the lead at 15:36, but it was short-lived as Collins found the cage for a second time a mere 2:20 later.
Rogers only faced 29 shots in the contest, while Beaven stopped 58-of-62.
FIRSTS
The game signified a first for both squads as Chatham hosted their first postseason game while Alvernia competed in their first postseason game ever.
ADJUSTED SEEDS
If you were wondering why Chatham, a No. 3 seed, faced the Golden Wolves, a No. 7 seed, it was due to proximity. Normally the No 6 seed faces the No 3 seed, but the UCHC wanted to limit the travel between pairings to 250 miles. The Cougars original opponent, Manhattanville, meant that pairing was the longest distance between pairings so the switch was necessary.
LOCAL FLAVOR
Alvernia brought Carlynton and Steel City Selects product Kassidy Heidkamp home for the matchup. The Sophomore was held scoreless on the season while scoring her first career goal during the 2019-20 campaign.
MITCH’S PICS
UP NEXT
Chatham moves on to the semifinals of the UCHC postseason, with the time, date and opponent to be determined later.
