QUINNIPIAC 4, HARVARD 1

In a game of career firsts for athletes on both sides, Bobcat freshman Kelly Babstock stole the show Friday night at the TD Bank Sports Center. The Quinnipiac rookie’s hat trick in the second period buried the Crimson’s hopes for a victory and overshadowed the play of Harvard sophomore Whitney Kennedy, who scored her first collegiate goal three minutes into the third period.

The Bobcats found the back of the net first when junior forward Chelsea Illchuk put the puck past Crimson sophomore goaltender Laura Bellamy midway through the first.

Though Harvard was able to hold Quinnipiac scoreless for the remainder of the frame, it lost its defensive composure as soon as the second period began. Before two minutes had expired in the second, Babstock had scored her first goal.

The Bobcat rookie found the back of the net twice more in that frame, teaming with Quinnipiac junior Kate Wheeler both times.

Their first dual effort came 6:45 into the second period, while the second came with less than three minutes to go before the break.

“She’s definitely a very skilled player,” Buesser said of Babstock, who leads the nation in scoring with 27 points. “I think we had a few defensive breakdowns all over the ice...[but] you definitely have to hand it to her. She played an outstanding game.”

A four-goal lead proved too much for the Crimson to overcome, but Kennedy’s late goal ensured that Harvard would not finish the game scoreless. The sophomore’s tally came three minutes into the third period.

“I don’t think the goaltender saw it at all,” Buesser said. “Our offense is needing some sparks. That line of [senior Ashley] Wheeler, Kennedy, and [freshman Kalley] Armstrong has been working pretty hard. [The goal] is really the result of hard work. Hopefully she can pour on a few more this year.”

—Staff writer Christina C. McClintock can be reached at ccmcclin@fas.harvard.edu.