Deerfield played a strong game at home this evening, earning a 2-0 victory against Hotchkiss. The first period was a scoreless affair, but the second frame was more wide open, with both teams getting good chances. We finally broke through after Meghan Halloran ’17 drove hard through the zone, out-hustling her opponents, and found an open Jenna Greenbaum ’17 who sniped an unstoppable shot top corner. Ali Fujiyoshi ’19 earned the second assist on the play. A few minutes later Margaret Williams ’19 out-muscled several Hotchkiss defenders, even while being crosschecked from behind, and fed Mary Edmonds ’19 in front who quickly deposited the second Deerfield goal. Halloran also earned an assist on the play. Heading into the third period we knew that we would have to work hard to earn the win, and we saved our best period for last, only allowing 3 shots on goal in the final fifteen minutes. Our forecheckers did a great job of pinning Hotchkiss in their zone, and the defense group of Fujiyoshi, Erin DeMarco ’19, Katherine Goguen ’16, Meaghan O’Brien ’18, Ali Dougal ’18 and Deirdre Mullowney ’19 did an outstanding job of shutting down rushes in the neutral zone. Though we took a penalty with about three minutes to go, penalty killers Edmonds, Halloran, Isabel Perry ’16 and Taylor Morash ’16 never allowed Hotchkiss to get set up (and actually created several outstanding scoring opportunities of their own), and we played a textbook final minute after Hotchkiss pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. Jordan Manning ’19 played very well in goal, particularly in the second period, making 17 saves for the shutout. It will be a quick turnaround for the Big Green, as we hit the road early tomorrow morning to take on Taft in a re-scheduled contest. Thanks to the Hoars for the wraps, cookies, and drinks after the game!