ST. PAUL, Minn. — In a commanding performance, the New York Sirens dismantled the shorthanded Minnesota Frost with a 5-0 victory on Saturday, marking a historic moment as Jessie Eldridge netted the quickest goal in the team’s history. Meanwhile, Alex Carpenter continued to excel, enhancing her lead in the league’s scoring ranks.
This match marked a significant milestone for the Frost, as it was the first occasion they failed to score at least two goals in a game and the first time they ever fell behind by three goals. Minnesota struggled as they faced an increasing list of absences due to injuries and illnesses; this issue was exacerbated when starting goalkeeper Nicole Hensley was injured during warm-ups. Maddie Rooney was already sidelined due to illness, providing the team with no choice but to turn to Lucy Morgan, a goalkeeper signed earlier in the week on a temporary contract, making her debut as a last-minute starter and managing to secure Rooney as an emergency backup.
Eldridge wasted no time, sending a shot past Morgan, the 23-year-old who previously played for the University of Minnesota, just 70 seconds after the game began. However, Morgan rebounded well, preventing any further goals during the first period. The Sirens continued their offensive push in the second period, scoring two goals while on power plays. Sarah Fillier found the net from the bottom of the face-off circle, marking her fourth goal, and Carpenter, closing out the period, scored her fifth goal right before time expired, ending the second period at 3-0.
In the third period, Chloe Aurard and Abby Roque added two more goals for New York. Corinne Schroeder achieved her league-leading fourth win by securing a shutout, making 26 saves and stifling several Minnesota breakaway attempts during the game, including successfully dealing with three power-play opportunities from the Frost.
Morgan faced a total of 34 shots in her league debut, successfully making 29 saves. The Sirens have now defeated the Frost twice on Minnesota’s home turf this season; they previously overcame them in overtime with a 4-3 victory on December 1. Interestingly, neither team has emerged victorious on their home ice in any of the three encounters so far.
As the Frost continue to deal with setbacks, including missing forward Grace Zumwinkle—who may face an extended absence due to a shoulder issue—as well as a viral outbreak affecting multiple players, they will have three days to recuperate before facing off against the Boston team for the second time in under a week.
