Warrior women split close games with Cornell

The Wayne State women's team (4-8-2) turned in a thrilling 5-4 victory over Cornell (2-4-0) on Saturday. However, a blown third-period lead and subsequent overtime goal prevented them from completing the sweep on Sunday afternoon.

On Saturday, it was once again the Warrior youngsters leading the charge. Melissa Boal got things started with a power-play goal midway through the first, assisted by fellow freshmen Sam Poyton and Tina Vanderhoeven. Vanderhoeven also chipped in on the second goal of the game, helping captain Jessica Snelgrove set up defenseman Sarah Campbell for the Warriors' second power-play tally of the game.

Cornell pulled even by the end of the second on a power-play and an even-strength goal. But special teams again paid off for the Warriors, as Vanderhoeven notched her first collegiate goal off assists from Poyton and Campbell. Cornell then scored two straight goals to take the lead midway through the third stanza.

The offensive energy of Poyton fueled the Warriors' comeback effort. She scored at 16:23 of the third to tie the game (Lindsay DiPietro (pictured above right) and Boal were credited with the assists) and again less than two minutes later to seal the win for Wayne State. DiPietro and Kristi Thome earned the assists on Poyton's second goal, her seventh of the season.

Goalie Valery Turcotte finished with 22 saves and the win.

The penalty-kill unit - up until now, a potent part of the Wayne arsenal - again wobbled in Sunday's rematch. Cornell stole the game on an overtime power-play goal.

The Warriors appeared in control early on as goalie Tiffany Thompson allowed just one goal through 37 minutes and Poyton (with help from Boal and DiPietro) tied the game. Cornell then scored two power-play goals to regain the lead.

Boal pulled the Warriors within one on an unassisted goal and two rapid-fire goals - Poyton assisted DiPietro, then DiPietro assisted Poyton - gave the Warriors the lead with less than four minutes remaining in the contest. But Cornell pulled their goalie and was able to even the score with just over a minute left in regulation.

In overtime, Cornell earned a power play and the Wayne penalty kill unit could not stop the Big Red from capitalizing on the opportunity and winning, 5-4.

Thompson finished with 31 saves.

The Warriors will welcome St. Cloud State to Detroit for a pair of games on Friday and Saturday.