NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Molly Martin (Buffalo, N.Y) scored the game-winning goal with just 35 remaining in overtime as the Albertus Magnus College women's ice hockey team won its first New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) game in program history over New England College on Friday at Ralph Walker Rink.

It was the fourth goal this season for the sophomore. Christmas Johnson (Winnipeg, Manitoba) secured her first conference win.

THE BASICS

FINAL (OT): Albertus Magnus 2 | New England College 1

RECORDS: Albertus (3-10-1, 1-6-0 NEHC) | NEC (1-12-0, 0-7-0 NEHC)

BOX

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Falcons' defenders denied the Pilgrims a shot on goal until 9:58 into the first period as Meadow Gilchrist tested Johnson in the cage for the first time in the matchup. Albertus attempted six shots on target prior to NEC's first try.
• New England College dumped the puck along the boards behind the Falcons' net, where Maddy Gootjes (Quispamsis, New Brunswick) retrieved it before sending it along the front of the home bench towards Kayla Clark (Avon, Conn.) in the neutral zone. Clark regained control of the puck and darted toward the net for a shot, but it was knocked away by NEC goaltender, Kayden Lallier-Whissell. During a mini scrum in front of the net for the possession, Clark tapped in the puck for the first goal of the game. Gootjes was credited for the assist on the play as the Falcons took a 1-0 lead at 13:28 in the opening period.
• During the lone NEC powerplay opportunity at 8:45 in the second period, Albertus dominated on the ice as the Pilgrims only managed to get to the scoring zone for a total of 20 seconds and Johnson denied both scoring attempts.
• Johnson interecepted a crossing pass between a pair of Pilgrims at 14:12 in the second and easily got the puck out of the scoring zone with a smooth pass to Gabriella Dellacroce (Woodbridge, Conn.) along the boards on the fan side.
• After intercepting the puck behind the blueline, Gilchrist separated herself from the flock for a chance to put NEC on the board, but Briony Retasket (Beaverton, Ore.) darted from the bench during an Albertus line change to contest the shot, while Johnson made the save. However, 18 seconds later, Olivia Lindberg recovered the deflected shot and quickly sent it for the tip-in goal by Greta Grant to knot the game 1-1 at 14:19 in the second.
• With less than 10 seconds remaining in the final period, Dellacroce blocked a shot by Gilchrist with a leaping dive onto the puck to keep the game tied at one and forced extra time.
• In overtime, Johnson tappped a failed pass attempt by the visitors to Martin who took the puck coast-to-coast for the game-winning goal. Molly easily skated around the two defending Pilgrims before connecting with the twine with only 35 seconds remaining in OT. Johnson notched the assist on the goal.

BETWEEN THE PIPES

Albertus

Christmas Johnson (W, 2-8-1) 25 Shots on Goal | 24 Saves | 1 Goal Allowed

NEC

Kayden Lallier-Whissell (L, 1-3-0) 45 Shots on Goal | 43 Saves | 2 Goals Allowed

TEAM STATS

Power-Play Goals/Opportunities

Albertus 0/2 | NEC 0/1

Penalties/Minutes

Albertus 1/2 | NEC 2/4

Faceoffs Won

Albertus 29 | NEC 25

NOTEWORTHY

• Clark has recorded at least a point in four straight contests for the Falcons and has four goals in her last four games.
• Johnson tallied her first career assist in the overtime goal by Martin.
• Johnson now has 1,141 career saves and has tallied 357 saves this season across 12 games. Last season, she recorded 388 in her inaugural campaign through the first dozen matchups.

UP NEXT

The Falcons close the weekend series with New England College on Saturday at Ralph Walker Rink at 11 a.m.