this is the first time since 2009 that they have

This weekend, women’s ice hockey (11-9-3, 6-7-3 ECAC) notched back-to-back draws against No. 13 Princeton and No. 10 Quinnipiac on the road. These two impressive results stretched Bruno’s undefeated streak to five games — facing top-25 opposition in the last four.

 

While there were a number of standout performances this weekend, no athlete shone as brightly as goalkeeper Rory Edwards ’27. The sophomore was a stalwart between the sticks, amassing a titanic 80 saves across both games.

 

Edwards noted that, though the goalkeeper “is always in the spotlight,” the rest of the team is equally instrumental in a strong defense.

 

“When I do my job well, there is always a lot of noise, but it is the shots that never get on net and the big plays to clear the zone that prevent just as many goals as I do,” Edwards wrote in an email to The Herald. Edwards was selected as the ECAC goalkeeper of the week for her performances.

 

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For the first time under Head Coach Melanie Ruzzi, the Bears have gone undefeated in four consecutive games against ranked opponents. After a rough start, Bruno hopes to turn a corner heading into the home stretch of the season.

 

“Coach Mel is always telling us to go out there and enjoy it and that’s when we are playing our best,” Edwards wrote. “Coming to the bench during a media timeout and seeing smiles and getting bumps (from) the team, that’s what it’s all about. That’s what is going to fuel us the rest of the season.”

 

Bruno started the weekend off in a tough position. After only three minutes of play, the Bears were down 1-0 in Princeton’s backyard. Bruno’s win streak looked to be in deep jeopardy.

 

Despite the shaky start, Bruno was not going to let this game slip through their fingers. They fired 14 shots on Princeton’s net in the first period— their highest total of any period that night — compared to the Tigers’ eight. Though none of those shots found their way to the back of the net, the Bears went into the break with renewed momentum.

 

Though the Tigers matched Bruno with 10 shots taken on either side in the second period, the scoreboard told a different story. Both teams came out trading blows, but it was Bruno who found the breakthrough. Ava DeCoste ’27 scored her 10th goal of the season only five minutes into the second period, drawing the Bears level.

 

In the 14th minute of the period, disaster struck. Ella Muralt ’28 was called for a hooking penalty, and Bruno was stuck at a one-woman disadvantage. But in a moment of need, Margot Norehad ’27 arrived.

 

Stealing the puck, Norehad found herself through on goal with the whole Princeton team behind her. Beating the goalkeeper and clinically slotting the puck into the net, Norehad put her team up 2-1 with four minutes left in the period.

 

Entering the third period, facing a frustrated and desperate Princeton team, there was only one woman to clinch the job: Rory Edwards. Edwards was a brick wall in front of the net, saving 14 shots to hold Bruno’s thin lead.

 

But she could only do so much. After 14 minutes of Brown brilliantly soaking up Princeton’s pressure, the Tigers found the back of the net and forced overtime.

 

Despite going on the power play early in extra time, the Bears were unable to score. The game ended in a tie, and the teams split the points, sending the game to a penalty shootout. Pride was still on the line.

 

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Edwards and Princeton’s Jennifer Olnowich went toe-to-toe in a goalkeeping battle for the ages. Both managed to save all five penalties they faced and forced it to a sudden death shootout. Muralt snuck one between the legs of Olnowich and put the Bears up. Edwards followed up with a clutch save, and Bruno took home the bragging rights.

 

“It takes all of us, from our goal scorers to our shot blockers and even our staff; everybody on this team played a role in our success,” Edwards wrote. “We are really a six person unit out there doing whatever it takes to get points.”

 

In the wake of such an exhilarating battle against Princeton, the 0-0 scoreline against Quinnipiac may paint a boring picture. But this game saw Edwards give her most inspired performance. Notching 45 stops against the Bobcats — including 34 in the second and third periods alone — she was crucial in helping Bruno earn the point.

 

Bruno only managed 24 shots to the Bobcats’ 45. The Bears were forced to kill off two power plays. Though it may not have been a vintage Bruno performance, their disciplined and intelligent defending was key to getting them to the point.

 

In the third period, it looked like Bruno had stolen the game. Cameron Sikich ’25 fired a long range effort which came off the post and was initially ruled a goal. But after a careful review, the goal was scratched off.

 

The score remained even down the stretch, and Bruno held on to preserve their fifth unbeaten match in a row. Because Bruno took down Quinnipiac 2-1 on Oct. 25, this is the first time since 2009 that they have defeated the Bobcats in the season series.

 

As they near the end of the season, Bruno must carry their momentum forward into the upcoming matches.

 

“There are no nights off in the ECAC. We are a team that has stolen some points and we know that anybody can beat anybody in our league,” Edwards wrote. “This upcoming weekend is critical as (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) and Union are both very close to us in the standings. We are all excited to be playing back at Meehan and are carrying a lot of momentum from these past