In one of the better women's hockey games I have witnessed to date, the
 Cornell Big Red fell to the Wildcats of UNH in a close 2-1 contest.  In
 what turns out to be the Big Red's 26th straight loss to UNH, this one
 was a heartbreaker.
 
 During the first period the play was back and forth, though it was clear
 UNH had the skating advantage in terms of both speed and ability to carry
 the puck around the defenders.  However, while the Big Red  was on a power
 play midway through the first, a shot from the point was deflected by a
 defender in front of the Wildcat net and Cornell took a 1-0 lead into the
 locker room.
 
 The second and third periods saw UNH consistently outskate the Red, and
 carry most of the play.  However, when the Red was able to get the puck
 deep in the UNH zone, they were able to get some good pressure for a
 sustained period and generate some scoring oppotunities.  None of these
 succeeded.  Alana Hayes kept the Red in the game with 48 saves on the
 afternoon.  Many were big.  UNH was able to tie it up in the second, and
 finally got the game winner late in the third when Hayes was unable to
 completely handle a long shot and it trickled into the net a small scrum
 ensued in the crease.  Some argument ensued on the part of the Big Red
 captains, as the net was dislodged during the play, but it  was to no
 avail, and the wildcats took home 2-1 victory.  The big red will need to
 improve its speed if it hopes to compete with UNH and the like for an
 ECAC championship.  The goaltending is stellar, and the play deep inside
 the opponent zone is fine.  Getting from the save to sustained offensive
 pressure is a major difficulty; however, and the Red will need to find a
 solution.  Additionally, the shot from outside appeared to be another
 difficulty, as Cornell could not get much on the slappers from the
 point.  Nevertheless, this was how they came by their only goal.  Go figure.
 
 For all the nice skating displayed by UNH, both goals came after
 scrambles in the crease, the second after an unfortunate and
 uncharacteristic slight misplay by Hayes.   While UNH deserved to win the
 game, Hayes almost managed to keep that from happening.  The Red will be
 improved over last year's finsih, though a trip to the final four may
 still be at least a year off.   Of course all this was accomplished
 without the services of Captain Dewar, so perhaps the Red can compete
 with Brown, UNH, Northeastern and Providence this year.  There's one
 thing for sure, the women's game is improving every year in the general
 quality of play, and with the new varsity squads appearing out west, I'm
 looking forward to a national women's hockey scene soon.  If you haven't
 been yet, you should try to get to the next game near you.
 
 Larry Weintraub '98
 Go Big Red!
 
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