NOTEBOOK: Women's Hockey Struggles in Opening Minutes at Beanpot

By Anthony Spadafino, Contributing Writer February 8, 2012

In its opening Beanpot game against then-unranked BU on Jan. 31, the Crimson fell behind early on its way to a 5-2 loss.

While Harvard seemed to fix that problem in two impressive wins last weekend against Quinnipiac and Princeton, the Crimson, once again, had a problem getting started in its final Beanpot fixture on Tuesday night, allowing the Eagles to find the back of the net first.

But, down 1-0, Harvard was able to battle back from an early deficit.

Captain Alisa Baumgartner scored her second goal of the season at 13:09 into the opening period from an on-point pass by freshman center Hillary Crowe, bringing the Crimson into the lockerroom tied, 1-1, at the first intermission.

Yet Harvard was sluggish again at the beginning of both the second and third frames, too.

Just like the commencement of the opening period, the Crimson allowed a goal within the first five minutes of the two ensuing frames, as well.

“We have to be ready to go at the drop of the puck, have to get going right away,” Dempsey said.

Though, the struggle was not solely the fault of Harvard’s defenders or junior goaltender Laura Bellamy, who kept the puck from entering the goal 25 times on the night.

“Us forwards should have done a better job backtracking, too,” Dempsey added.

DEMPSEY STAYS HOT

Cruising off of a killer weekend where she averaged more than a hat trick in two games, Dempsey continued to lead the Crimson offense.

Her 22nd goal of the season, notched against BC Tuesday night, was her eighth in the last three games. Her “quintet” against Princeton last Saturday was just one shy of the NCAA record for most goals by a player in a single game, currently held by Harvard alum Nicole Corriero ’05.

Dempsey was a hefty presence for the BC defense to handle, racking up seven shots on net to lead the team.

But the ever-humble Dempsey was quick to credit her teammates.

“I play on a great line, and we all just work together so well,” Dempsey said.

The Winthrop, Mass. native will look to continue her offensive onslaught this Friday, as Harvard travels to Rensselaer.