Niagara Women Play to Tie

The Niagara women's hockey team (7-6-5) played non-conference opponents Ohio State Buckeyes (8-5-2) to a 1-1 draw Friday evening at OSU Ice Rink.

The only tallies of the game came in the opening period where both teams traded goals.  The Purple Eagles and Buckeyes would see quality chances for the remainder of the game, but neither team could get past the solid performance of the goalies.  

"It was a good effort today," said head coach Josh Sciba.  "We worked hard and really took pride in some details.  Ohio State is very talented offensively and it will take even more to win tomorrow.  Abby made some key saves that gave us energy." 

Ohio State struck first at the 5:21 mark when senior Natalie Spooner tallied goal 14 of the season on the powerplay past netminder Abby Ryplanski.  With less than three minutes to play in the period, Niagara tied it at one.  Junior Kelsey Welch snuck one behind goalie Chelsea Knapp for the eighth time this season off feeds from Jessica Hitchcock and Erin Burns. 

Ryplanski finished with 21 saves.  Niagara outshot Ohio State 23-22 for the game.