#10 Norwich Blanks Salem State 4-0, Hollingsworth Sets All-Time Career Saves Record

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications 

NORTHFIELD, Vt.- Salem State goalie Kaia Hollingsworth (Methuen, Mass.) broke Salem State's all-time career saves record, stopping 38 shots, in tonight's 4-0 loss to #10 Norwich University in a  New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) matchup Friday night at Kreitzberg Arena. The Cadets improved to 17-5-2, 14-2-1, while the Vikings dropped to 5-17-2, 2-13-2.

Hollingsworth currently now has 1,451 saves for her career, besting the old mark of 1,424 saves set by Sarah Plourde in 2019.

Prior to the game alternative captain Tea Miles (Northfield, Vt) expressed what it means playing in her hometown of Northfield, Vermont. "I learned how to play hockey at Kreitzberg Arena, so obviously it touches the heart big in this one. It's always fun to comeback home and have all my family and friends from town coming and watch me and support me with the dream that I reached playing DIII hockey. So honestly there is nothing sweeter to be back home." She also added about [Kaia], who entered the game 12 saves away from breaking the all-time record in Salem State women's ice hockey history. "I have been on the same team with Kaia [Hollingsworth] for the past three years; she does nothing but show up everyday and give 100%. If there is one person that I picked to break this record ,obviously I would give it to Kaia [Hollingsworth] because she does nothing but work her tail off day in and day out and she always shows up for us."

Prior to the game coach Ray Kizzie gave me his scotting report for the Cadets.  "We kind of got a taste of what they bring to the table [when we faced them last month] so we know what we are in for, so we going to be ready to go. Have a good mindset, have a good attitude and have a good effort."  He also added what it means if the Vikings could pull an upset against Norwich. "It will be huge ,it will be big for our playoff standings, and it will be good for us overall. Definitely it is something that we want to accomplish and is something that we want to achieve tonight."

In the opening minutes of the game, the Cadets came close to scoring the first goal when Madison Anderson (Green Bay, Wis.) unleashed a powerful shot that narrowly missed the right side of the goalpost. The Vikings managed to clear the puck out of their zone, but the Cadets continued to put pressure on the Vikings' goaltender.

Salem State on the other hand, was also looking to take the lead and came close when Meghan Azzato (Falmouth, Mass.)  attempted to set up a goal for Jessica Robert (North Reading, Mass.) with a well-placed pass. However, the execution fell short.  

Jaryn Chubb (Akwesasne, NY) had a golden opportunity to give Salem State the lead when she found herself in a one-on-one situation against goalie Peyton Sutherland (Brighton, Col.). Unfortunately, Chubb's shot was off target, and the game remained scoreless. 

Midway through the first period, both teams were still searching for their opening goal. However, Salem State's Hollingsworth, made a stunning save with her glove from a shot by Jullian Jackson (Fredericton, N.B.) at the 13:14 mark, which earned her a place in the record books for most saves in the history of Salem State women's ice hockey.

Hollingsworth talked about the record. "I didn't know that was a record, but I am proud of myself. I am proud I was able to do something and put my name is the history books which is awesome."

Despite the Cadets dominant first period with 13 shots on target compared to the Vikings' two, both teams remained scoreless heading into the second period of regulation.

After the game Coach Kizzie talked about some of the positives during the first period. "It was definitely a good start there. We did a good job boxing out, applying pressure when we needed to and kept them off the board."

In the early stages of the second period, at the 1:48 mark, Aderson of Norwich managed to score, beating Hollingsworth top shelf from the left side giving Norwich a 1-0 lead. However, just a few minutes later, Aimee Headland (Nottingham, UK) of Norwich went to the box for hooking, and Salem State was awarded a five-on-four power play at the 3:21 mark. But, 36 seconds later, the Vikings' power play was short-lived, as their captain, Deanna Bosco, was sent to the box for hooking, creating a four-on-four situation.

Salem State came close to leveling the scoring when Bosco was ready to skate out of the penalty box, and Azzatto passed the puck to Bosco who got behind the defense. Celeste Scoppettuolo (Revere, Mass.) almost slammed the puck home as the Vikings were inches away from tying the game.

Norwich's Olivia Boyler (Saint Paul, Minn.)  managed to score the second goal of the game at the 11:00 minute mark after a short pass from Laurin Tuzik (Frankfort, Ill.). Tuzik and Taylor Girouard (Burlington, Mass.) managed to get the assists.

The Cadets continued to push for the third goal of the game, but Hollingsworth denied their efforts. Salem State found themselves trailing 2-0 heading into the final twenty minutes of regulation. The Cadets outshot the Vikings 24 to 6. After having no power plays during the first period of regulation, both teams combined were 0 for 4 with their chances, with Norwich going 0 for 3 and Salem State 0 for 1. The Cadets won 27 faceoffs compared to the Vikings' 10 throughout the first two periods of play.

After the game Coach Kizzie spoke about what changed between the first and the second periods of the game. "We needed to come hard so they made the first goal off an error and they capitalized on it and they kind of got the second one that way too, so is all about limiting the mistakes especially when you play a decent team."

In the last 20 minutes of the game, Hollingsworth, exhibited some brilliant saves early on in the period. She even dived on the ice, displaying exceptional athleticism, to prevent the puck from entering the net. However, the Cadets managed to score twice in a span of just 18 seconds. The third goal was scored by Livia Brooks (Walpole, Mass.), with Girouard being credited with the assist. The puck went between Hollingsworth's legs, making it a tough save attempt. The goal was scored at the 4:33 mark. The fourth goal came as a result of a two-on-one breakaway, with Girouard scoring from the right side of the net. Brooks and Anderson were both credited with the assists.

Towards the end of the period, the Vikings were eager to score their first goal of the game. Scoppettuolo attempted a shot, but it was denied by Sutherland. In the end, the Cadets secured a 4-0 victory. Hollingsworth saved an impressive 38 out of 42 shots, whereas Sutherland saved all eight shots. In terms of the power play, the Cadets were 0 for 5, whereas the Vikings only had one opportunity and were not able to score. Faceoff-wise, Norwich had 32 wins, while Salem State had 20.

Salem State will be looking to bounce back tomorrow afternoon as they will conclude their 2023-24 season when they will face New England College for an New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) contest. Puck drop is at 3 p.m.