Game Results
GAME #1: Cyclones edge Eagles 5 to 4
It was a come-from-behind victory in a closely-played contest with a dramatic finish. The ISU Women Cyclones scored with 50 seconds left in the game to edge the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse Eagles 5 to 4 on Saturday evening March 1 at Ames.
The largest crowd of the season cheered their Cyclones to victory. The game was played in memory of long-time fan Nick Lange, a 21-year-old ISU student who passed away February 26. For the past three years Nick attended the Cyclone team’s home games regularly, cheered for the Cyclones, supported the team and designed the team’s Website. Thank you, Nick! We miss you!
In this game, the Cyclones scored first when at 13:31 of the first period center Gail Starr and forward Catherine Swoboda teamed up to put ISU on the scoreboard. Starr got the goal, Swoboda got the assist. With 9 minutes left in the first period, the Eagles scored to tie the game 1 to 1. At 8:32 the Eagles scored another goal and the score at the end of the first period was Eagles 2, Cyclones 1.
In the second period ISU scored at 8:38 as Gail Starr slapped the puck past the Eagle goalie, assisted by ISU’s Amanda Machacek. That tied the score at 2 to 2. The Eagles scored the next two goals, one at 7:25 and then again with 1:58 left in the period. But the Cyclones never gave up and they answered with a goal of their own, as Gail Starr grabbed a loose puck at center ice and weaved through two Eagle players to score an unassisted goal. At the end of the first period, the score stood Eagles 4, Cyclones 3.
In the third period, both teams continued to play fast-paced hockey. With 7 minutes left in the game, the Cyclones Ali Webster slapped a long shot from the point toward the Eagles’ net where her teammate Catherine Swoboda was in position. Swoboda put the puck past the goalie, tying the score at 4 to 4. Webster got the assist.
Both teams continued to play inspired, exciting hockey. With only 50 seconds remaining in the game, Cyclone center Sam Jenkins scored on a play set up by her linemate Amanda Machacek, who earned the assist. Inspired by the home crowd’s cheering, the Cyclone defense held off the hard-charging Eagles and ISU won the game 5 to 4.
Shots on goal were Eagles 8, ISU 4 in the first period. In the second period the Eagles had 10 shots and the Cyclones 8. In the third period, the Eagles had 14 shots on goal compared to 12 for ISU. For the game, total shots added up to Eagles 32, ISU 24. So despite being out-shot, the ISU Cyclones were able to win the game.
There were only three penalties in this game--one on the Eagles in the second period, one on ISU in the third period and one on the Eagles in the third period.
GAME #2: Cyclones win close contest 2 to 0
The second game of the ISU vs. UW-LaCrosse series was played on Sunday morning and it was another fast-paced evenly matched contest. Goalies for both teams made great saves and both teams played good, solid defense.
No goals were scored in the first or second period. Finally with 12:40 left in the third period, ISU scored. It was a short-handed goal by Cyclone forward Amanda Machacek, as ISU center Sam Jenkins earned the assist.
With the score at 1 to 0 in favor of the Cyclones, the Eagles kept up the offensive pressure. But the Cyclone defense held tight, breaking up Eagle plays and blocking Eagle shots.
As the final 30 seconds of the game ticked off the clock, the Eagles pulled their goalie and put another player on the ice in an effort to tie the score. As time expired, ISU’s Gail Starr got the puck, skated toward the opponent’s goal and shot the puck into the net just in time to beat the buzzer that ended the game. Final score was 2 to 0 in favor of the ISU Cyclones.
Shots on goal during the first period were Cyclones 8, Eagles 15. In the second period the Cyclones had 12 shots and the Eagles had 8. In the third period, the Cyclones had 11 shots, the Eagles 6. For the game total, ISU led with 31 shots on goal to 29 for the Eagles.
There were four penalties against the Cyclones in this game, and four penalties against the Eagles.
The Cyclones ended the season with a record of 9 wins, 13 losses and one tie. “It was a good year and this was a nice group of players to work with,” said Coach Mike Gilbert. “Thanks especially to our three graduating seniors, and thanks to assistant coach Alex Butera and everyone else who had a hand in making this an enjoyable experience.”
