MANCHESTER, N.H. - The Saint Anselm women's ice hockey team hosted the Williams College Ephs this evening in their final non-conference game of January.  The two teams took the same amount of shots, but penalties stifled the Hawks' offense for nearly a full period, as the Ephs blanked the Hawks, 3-0. 

Freshman Sam Weinstein (Marblehead, Mass.) opened the scoring at the 12 minute mark, netting a slap shot off the rebound of Tracey Ferriter's (Winchester, Mass.) post shot, to give the Ephs a 1-0 lead in the first.  The goal came on a power play, just four seconds after the end of a 5-on-3 advantage.

At 15:16 in the second period, Stephanie Berger (Millersville, Md.) netted an unassisted goal, and three minutes later, Kristen Tubbs (Garden City, N.Y.) knocked in another power-play goal, to give the Ephs a 3-0 lead.  The Hawks outshot the Ephs in the third period, but were unable to find a hole in the Ephs' defense, as they were held to a 3-0 final.

Williams goaltender Sara Plunkett (Barrington, R.I.) made 27 saves in the game, and freshman Meghan Grant (Melrose, Mass.) made 24 in her first career loss.  This weekend's losses mark the first time in history that the Hawks have been held scoreless in two consecutive games.  The last time they did not score a goal at home was on February 13, 2007 against Bowdoin in a 3-0 loss.  The Hawks are periodically on the other side of the shutout, skating to four consecutive shutouts twice since the team's 2004 debut.

The win lifts Williams to 5-5-1 (4-1-1 NESCAC), while Saint Anselm falls to 8-5-1 (6-2-1 ECAC East).  The Hawks continue their homestand next Friday when they return to ECAC East Conference play with a visit by the College of Holy Cross Crusaders.  The game will be held in Sullivan Arena at 4:00 pm.