The Lake Forest College women's hockey team had its 2021-22 season come to an abrupt end on Friday as an overtime goal gave St. Norbert College a 3-2 victory in the semifinals of the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association Slaats Cup Playoffs.
Both teams led during regulation, beginning with the Foresters on freshman forward Zoey Wittington's first career goal at 12:25 in the opening period. Sophomore forward Caitlyn Dahut won a faceoff in the right circle and passed the puck back to junior forward Stokli Ashcraft. Her shot from along the boards was stopped by the Green Knight goaltender but the puck was loose behind the goalie and Wittington poked in in to give the Lake Forest the lead.
The score remained 1-0 until St. Norbert converted a power play opportunity with 4:56 remaining in the second. The Knights then took the lead just 14 seconds into the third.
Overtime became necessary after Forester junior forward Marissa Gebauer tied the score at the 11-minute mark. Her wraparound attempt was initially saved but she was able to push the back through the outstretched right leg of the St. Norbert goaltender for her team-high 14th goal of the year. Fellow junior forward Kelly McCullough, whose shot from the left faceoff spot was pushed behind the net by the goalie, earned an assist on the play.
The Green Knights had a slight 28-26 advantage in shots on goal in regulation and both teams added two to those totals during an overtime period that lasted 6 minutes and 17 seconds.
Forester junior goaltender Hannah Turnage made 27 saves on the afternoon, stopping at least 90 percent of opponent shots on goal for the 22nd consecutive game.
Lake Forest finished the season with a record of 15-10-0 while the Green Knights advance to Saturday's final at 20-8-0. Their opponent will be the winner of Friday's other semifinal between Aurora University and tournament host Adrian College.
