LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – For the second time in program history, the Yale women's ice hockey team has advanced to the ECAC Hockey Tournament Finals. The top-seeded Bulldogs routed fourth-seeded Cornell 7-2 in the conference semifinals on Friday afternoon at the 1980 Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, N.Y.
After allowing a goal less than a minute into the game, the Bulldogs responded in a big way, scoring four unanswered goals to put the game out of reach. The Big Red added a second tally early in the third period, but Yale answered with three more goals to complete the rout and advance to the championship for the first time since 2022.
With the victory, Yale will play for the ECAC Tournament Championship and an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs improved to 25-8 overall. Cornell dropped to 20-11-2.
Scoring Summary
• P1, 0:45 | Cornell scored in the game's opening minute after Avi Adam found the back of the net on a breakaway. 1-0 CORNELL
• P1, 14:04 | YALE GOAL! The Bulldogs went on the power play after a penalty on Cornell's Delaney Fleming. After shot attempts from Jordan Ray and Carina DiAntonio were saved by Big Red goaltender Annelies Bergmann, Gracie Gilkyson put in the rebound to tie the game. 1-1
• P1, 17:07 | YALE GOAL! Just over three minutes later, the Bulldogs were once again relentless on the offensive end. Bergmann saved an initial shot from Avery Muhn, but Emma McGowan was able to corral the loose puck and convert for Yale's second goal on a rebound attempt. 2-1 YALE
• P2, 2:47 | YALE GOAL! McGowan forced a turnover near the blue line and earned a two-on-one opportunity. She skated into the attacking area and delivered a pass through the slot to Molly Boyle, who finished at the net. 3-1 YALE
• P2, 8:55 | YALE GOAL! Senior Jordan Ray took the puck up the ice and passed to Carina DiAntonio, who took a near-side wrister that was saved by Bergmann. As the puck trickled away, DiAntonio made a second attempt, this time finding the back of the net. 4-1 YALE
• P3, 1:29 | Cornell cut into the Yale lead with a goal by Fleming. 4-2 YALE
• P3, 8:20 | YALE GOAL! The Big Red earned a power-play opportunity, but the Bulldogs were able to direct the puck out of the attacking area. Stephanie Stainton scored the shorthanded goal off an assist from Jordan Ray. 5-2 YALE
• P3, 14:45 | YALE GOAL! Cornell pulled the goaltender to utilize the extra attacker. DiAntonio scored the empty-net goal to put the game out of reach. 6-2 YALE
• P3, 19:54 | YALE GOAL! In the waning seconds, Avery Peters scored the Bulldogs' seventh goal, sealing the victory. 7-2 YALE
Game Notes
• Yale will play in the ECAC Championship game for the second time in program history. The Bulldogs previously reached the finals in 2022, falling to Colgate in overtime.
• The Bulldogs improved to 2-1 against Cornell this season. Friday's matchup was the first time that the two teams matched up in ECAC Hockey postseason play.
• Gilkyson tallied her eighth goal of the season. Through three ECAC Tournament games, Gilkyson has been fantastic, totaling two goals and four assists.
• McGowan scored her fourth goal of the year, Peters tallied her second, and Stainton added her 15th goal of the season. Boyle recorded her 11th goal of the season.
• DiAntonio scored her 25th and 26th goals of the season, the second-most single-season goals in program history. Yale goaltender Samson Frey was fantastic in net for the Bulldogs recording 26 saves.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will play in the ECAC Championship game against No. 3 Quinnipiac on Saturday, March 7. Puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the 1980 Herb Brooks Arena.
