Manchester, N.H. (January 3)-Kelsey Johnson's (Byfield, Mass.) overtime power-play goal lifted the Hawks past the Williams College Ephs in the opening game of the 2009 Saint Anselm Tournament. In the night cap, Manhattanville defeated Bowdoin 3-2 on a game winning goal by Alex Blackwell (Brewster, N.Y.).

In the first game, the Ephs started the scoring when Kait O'Brien (Skaneateles, N.Y.) beat Hawk goaltender Carley Berry (Danvers, Mass.) to make it 1-0 Williams. Just over a minute later, Hawk freshman Michelle Lacombe (Delafield, Wisc.) nodded the game at one by beating Ephs netminder Sara Plunkett (Barrington, R.I.).

Williams took the lead again in the second period when Eliza Foster (Chatham, Mass) took a pass from Tracey Ferriter (Winchester, Mass.) and O'Brien to make it 2-1 Ephs. The Hawks fired back with just over two minutes left in the period when Kristen Byrne (Duxbury, Mass.) netted her first goal of the season to tie the game 2-2.

In the third period, senior tri-captain Kathleen Twomey (Londonderry, N.H.) gave Saint Anselm the lead for the first time less than one minute into the period. Just over a minute later, Williams tied the game again on a goal from Sam Tarnasky (Caroline, Alabama) to force the game into overtime.

In the overtime period, an interference call on the Ephs put the Hawks on the powerplay for the fourth time on the afternoon. Johnson took the puck from behind the net and beat Plunkett for the unassisted-game-winning-goal.

Berry finished with 22 saves to pick up her fourth win of the season, while Plunkett finished with 26 saves to move her record to 1-6-1 on the year.

In the second game, the Bowdoin Polar Bears hit the scoreboard first in the second stanza when Maria Nicolais (Syracuse, N.Y.) scored on assists from Katherine Pokrass (Ashburn, Virg.) and Shelagh Merrill (Lowell, Mass.).

The Manhattanville Valiants fought back as Holly Nonis (Brampton, Ontario) netted her tenth goal on the year to even the game at one. Valiant forward Shannon Coffey (Malden, Mass.) added another just over a minute later off an assist from Natalie Zitek (Charlestown, W.V.).

In the third period Blackwell's insurance goal turned out to be the game-winner, as Polar Bear forward Alexandra Fahey (Bangor, Maine) scored after Bowdoin pulled their goaltender Emileigh Mercer (Newton, Mass.) for the advantage. It was not enough, as the Valiants skated to the 3-2 victory.

Mercer had 27 saves in the losing effort, while Manhattanville goalie Sophia Kokkonis (East Meadow, N.Y.) had 23 saves to move to 3-0 on the season.

The action in the 2009 Saint Anselm tournament starts up again tomorrow afternoon when the Hawks will take on Bowdoin College at 2 p.m. The second game tomorrow will feature Williams College versus Manhattanville College at 5 p.m.