After a weekend that saw it earn not only its first win of the season, but also over $15,000 in support of Mandi Schwartz’ battle for leukemia, the Yale women’s hockey team (1–5–2, 1–2–1 ECAC) returns to the Ingalls Rink ice Friday and Saturday for games against perennial ECAC powers St. Lawrence (4–6–2, 1–2–0) and Clarkson (5–7–1, 3–0–0).

Last weekend, the Bulldogs dropped a tough 4–1 game to RPI on the night of White Out for Mandi, but came back with a strong 4–1 victory over Union the next day, a game in which four different Yalies scored goals. The win was the first for new head coach Joakim Flygh, who is taking over the reigns this year from Hilary Witt, who moved to a position at her alma mater, Northeastern.

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Forward Bray Ketchum ’11 scored Yale’s only goal in the loss to the Engineers, a goal that, while it may not have meant a lot on Friday night’s scoreboard, may have sparked a Yale offense that came out firing to start Saturday afternoon, outshooting the Dutchwomen 10–4 in the first period. Danielle Moncion ’13, Jackie Raines ’14, Ketchum, and Tara Tomimoto ’13 all had goals for the Bulldogs.

Ketchum’s and Tomimoto’s goals both came on short-handed opportunities, as Union pulled its goalie to gain an extra skater down by one point with less than two minutes remaining. Ketchum’s shot from behind the red line gave her team some insurance, and Tomimoto closed things out with a bouncing shot that went nearly the entire length of the ice before finding the back of the net.

The Saints come to Ingalls fresh off a 1–1 tie with Boston College. Rylee Smith, Kelly Sabatine, and Vanessa Emond lead the way for the St. Lawrence attack, each with eight points apiece.

Clarkson’s most recent outing was a 4–1 win over St. Lawrence. Their leading scorer, Juana Baribeau, has tallied eight total points this season.

Ketchum has led the way so far this season for the Bulldogs with a goal and three assists. Linemate Alyssa Zupon ’13 has contributed three points, while two freshmen, Raines and Aurora Kennedy ’14, also have three apiece.

Genny Ladiges ’12 has been solid between the pipes for Yale, playing to a .929 save percentage and a 2.37 goals against average in five games this season. Ladiges took over the starting job when Jackee Snikeris ‘11 went down against Harvard in Cambridge in the Bulldogs’ first conference action of the season. Snikeris sustained a knee injury, and is out indefinitely, though making progress towards a quick return.

No matter who is between the pipes, the Bulldogs must score if they hope to make a run similar to the one they made through the ECAC in the second half of last season — a run that saw them come up just short of an ECAC playoff bid. Scoring has been a problem for a Yale offense that has struggled to capitalize not only on even strength, but also on the power plays. The Yale team hopes that confidence, particularly on offense, continues as they look to build on Saturday’s win.

“Scoring the first goal was key.” Ketchum said of the game against Union. “We talked about it before the game and we emphasized the importance of the first three shifts. We established the momentum right away. We need to build off this and carry the momentum into this upcoming week of practice and games next weekend. This win was a big confidence booster.”

Faceoff against St. Lawrence is set for 7 p.m. tonight, while the Bulldogs’ contest against Clarkson is slated to begin Saturday at 4 p.m.