NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Senior
Elle Hartje has done it all for the Yale women's ice hockey team over the last four years. As a team leader, she has won an Ivy League title, ECAC regular season title and has been part of a Frozen Four squad. As an individual she has been named Ivy League Player of the Year, has earned numerous conference and national accolades and is the Mandi Schwartz Scholar-Athlete award winner.
On Saturday afternoon, she added to her illustrious legacy by breaking a Yale record that has stood for 36 years. In the first period of the Bulldogs' ECAC Tournament Opening Round game, Hartje assisted on a goal by
Anna Bargman to earn her 165
th career point, passing Maria Dennis (1984-88) for most all-time in program history.
"I loved seeing Elle break the scoring record in our last game at Ingalls for the playoffs," said
Mark Bolding, Susan Cavanaugh Head Coach of Women's Hockey. "It's really been an impressive career for her, and we're not done yet."
But even more important to Hartje, Yale topped Union 5-2 at Ingalls Rink to advance in the ECAC Tournament bringing the team one step closer to the postseason achievement that has the eluded the Bulldogs.
Naomi Boucher and Bargman each scored a pair of goals to lead the hosts to victory.
The Elis improved to 16-13-1 overall and will square off against third-seeded Saint Lawrence with a spot in the conference semifinals on the line. The best-of-three game series will take place on Friday, March 1-3 in Canton, N.Y.
"We had a great start to the game and built a nice lead with a solid powerplay goal, then two dandy goals from Boucher," said Bolding. "Union made it interesting and made us work to the end to prevail. We can't wait for the road trip to Saint Lawrence next weekend."
Scoring Summary
- P1, 8:39 | GOAL! On the power play, the Bulldogs pushed the pace in the offensive zone. Following shots on goal by Jordan Ray and Hartje, Bargman was able to put in the rebound to give the hosts a 1-0 team.
- P1, 17:12 | GOAL! Boucher scored her first goal of the game after receiving a pass from Emma DeCorby at the far post. Boucher was able to poke it in to extend the Bulldogs' lead to 2-0.
- P2, 2:31 | GOAL! First year Mariya Rauf skated through contact from Union defenders and found a wide open Boucher on a cross-ice pass. Boucher converted on the wrister for her second score.
- P2, 9:22 | GOAL! After taking a stretch pass from Deanna Buenzow, Bargman deked past one Union defender and made another move to fool the Dutchwomen goaltender, tallying her second goal of the game.
- P2, 18:00 | Union got on the board for their first goal of the game.
- P3, 6: 25 | Union cut the deficit to 4-2 on a goal by Maddie Leaney.
- P3, 13:26 | GOAL! Hartje added her 12th goal of the year to seal the 5-2 win for the Bulldogs.
Game Notes
- Hartje is now the Bulldogs' all-time leader in points with 166 passing Maria Dennis.
- Yale defeated Union for the third time this season and holds a 12-game win streak over the Dutchwomen.
- Boucher tallied her fourth and fifth goals of the season.
- Bargman now has 12 goals on the year which is tied with Jordan Ray and Hartje for the team lead.
- Yale goaltender Pia Dukaric recorded 24 saves.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will travel to Canton, N.Y. for a first round ECAC matchup with Saint Lawrence. Game one is set for Friday, March 1.
Game 1 – Friday, March 1 at 6 p.m.
Game 2 – Saturday, March 2 at 3 p.m.
Game 3 (if necessary) – Sunday, March 3 at 3 p.m.
