By Colin Babcock, QBSN Staff Writer
Junior Kelly Babstock tallied two goals and one assist as the Bobcats defeated Rensselaer 4-1 in a ECAC Hockey clash.
It seemed that the Engineers might carry the play with five quick shots on goal within the first three minutes. Their first line of Jordan Smelker, Taylor Mahoney, and Taylor Horton mainly powered their attack. Those thoughts however were cancelled out moments later. Kelly Babstock gained control of the puck deep in the RPI zone. She spun around a defender and threw one out front to her winger Nicole Kosta who tipped it by sophomore Kelly O’Brien. It was Kosta’s 9th goal of the season and Babstock’s 17th assist. The Bobcats never looked back.
The second period opened up fast and wild going Quinnipiac’s way. Babstock stretched the ice vertically, received a pass, and was in on the breakaway. She tried the classic forehand, backhand, five hole move but O’Brien had the stick in position to make the save. A minute later the Bobcats then went on the power play as Lauren Walsh was called for tripping. The Bobcats had several shots but were still unable to put the puck in the net.
Late in the period Rensselaer had its chance to even the score at one, as Eleeza Cox broke free from the Quinnipiac defense. She rifled a quick shot on goal but Victoria Vigilanti was there to brush it aside. Then with 53 seconds left in the period junior Amanda Colin took the puck down the right side and fed one across the goalmouth to Brittany Lyons who deflected it home. The shots at the end of the second period were lopsided in Quinnipiac’s favor, 29-13.
Two minutes and seven seconds into the start of the third period Rensselaer was on the scoreboard. Freshman Mari Mankey fired the puck home for her third career goal. The assist went to Cox on the play. Any momentum the Engineers created from that goal was eradicated by taking penalties. Junior Nona Letuligasenoa was thrown into the sin bin for roughing and freshman Jenn Godin followed with a hooking penalty.
The Bobcats regained their two-goal lead with six minutes and fifty-six seconds left. Erica Uden Johansson had the puck behind the Rensselaer net and hit Babstock streaking down the middle. Babstock roofed it going crossbar-down. Then with two minutes and twenty-seven seconds left she scored another this time assisted by Kosta. Those goals sealed the win for the Bobcats as they won by a final of 4-1.
