The Hamilton College women's hockey team dropped a 3-1 decision against the Wesleyan University Cardinals in NESCAC action at Wesleyan's Spurrier-Snyder Rink on Saturday afternoon. The Continentals blanked the Cardinals 4-0 on Friday night in Middletown, Conn.

Hamilton (10-4-1, 7-1-0 NESCAC) outshot Wesleyan 42-20 as the Cardinals received a 41-save performance from Sam Smith. Although this was the team's first NESCAC loss this season, the Continentals will maintain in the top spot in the conference standings.

Hamilton's first goal came 10:52 into the first period when Madie Bologa '21 tipped home her second goal of the season. Michaela Giuttari '20 took an initial shot from the point that Bologa tipped on its way to the net, evading Smith and trickling over the line. Giuttari leads the team with eight assists and 15 points. Maddie Beitler '21 was also credited with an assist – her third – on the play.

Wesleyan (5-7-4, 1-3-4) evened the score 4:57 later on a goal by Jackie Kilar. Kilar received the puck from Alexis Banquer along the left boards in Wesleyan's offensive zone. Kilar dodged a Hamilton defender before slipping a backhand shot through the legs of Sam Walther '18 (17 saves). It was the first goal Walther and the Continentals allowed in 273-plus minutes. Hamilton has given up more than two goals in a game just twice all season.

The Cardinals claimed the lead with 2:43 left in the second period when Colleen Castro scored her first goal of the season. Walther stopped a shot by Alex Horton from the right side, but a streaking Castro gathered the rebound and slammed it home.

Although the Continentals had 17 shots and two power plays in the third period, they could not get the puck past Smith. Hamilton's best opportunity in the third was when Giuttari was denied on the doorstep by a sprawling Smith.

Kilar finished the scoring with 1:02 left in the third period when she shot the puck from Hamilton's blue line into an empty net for her second goal this season.

The Continentals will return home to Russell Sage Rink to face NESCAC opponent Middlebury College on Friday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 3 p.m.