Junior forward/defenseman Kayla Griffith scored both of the home team's goals in the Lake Forest College women's hockey team's 2-1 triumph over the College of St. Scholastica Friday night. It was the opener of a two-game Northern Collegiate Hockey Association Slaats Cup semifinal series.
Griffith gave the Foresters the early lead at the 4:08 mark of the opening period with freshman forward Sydney Simone earning her team-high 23rd assist of the year.
After out-shooting the visitors 12-7 in the opening period, Lake Forest put just three shots on goal to St. Scholastica's eight in the second. The Saints tied the score in the final minute of the second period and the score was 1-1 entering the game's final 20 minutes.
The Foresters went on the power play for the first time in the contest at the 5:10 mark of the third period and the visitors were assessed another penalty a minute-and-a-half later. Griffith converted the 5-on-3 opportunity at 6:51 with what turned out to be the game-winning goal. Her 11th score this season was set up by senoir forward Allie Girard and freshman forward Kate Fanning.
Lake Forest had a 15-6 advantage in shots on goal in the final stanza but were unable to add to the lead. The Saints pulled their goaltender with 1:06 remaining and had two shots blocked by the defense and a third stopped by Forester freshman goalie Jacque Rogers. It was the only shot on goal she faed in the final nine minutes of the game, despite the home team having to kill two penalties during that span.
Rogers, who finished the game with 20 saves, improved to 13-3-0 with a 1.43 goals against average and .938 save percentage on the year.
The Foresters, who entered the week ranked seventh in the nation, earned their program record 21st victory of the season against just four losses and a tie. St. Scholastica fell to 13-11-2. Game two of the series will begin at 7:00 Saturday night andwould be followed, if necessary, by a 20-minute minigame.
