By Taylor Kimmell Asst. Sports Editor The Framingham State women's ice hockey team made program history with the first win of their inaugural season in a matchup against the Anna Maria College Amcats on Friday, Feb. 21. This nail-biting 1-0 game ended in a long-awaited celebration on Framingham’s side of the ice - the women jubilant about having finally secured their first win after facing much adversity throughout their season. For the first period, both teams focused on defending their territory. Freshman goalie Lila Chamoun kept close watch of the net for the entirety of the game. Anna Maria was quick to Framingham’s goal, with a shot just 25 seconds into the first period. Framingham won the following three faceoffs, resulting in a shot from freshman Lily Wilson that was blocked by the Amcats’ goaltender, Megan Tegethoff. Two shots from freshman Adrianna Rizzotto succeeded the first from Wilson, both bouncing off Tegethoff’s pads. Seven minutes into the period, freshman Sarah Lewis was sent to the penalty box for roughing, beginning a 2-minute power play for Anna Maria. Strong play from Framingham’s defense and three expert saves from Chamoun prevented the Amcats from finding the back of the net during the power play, resulting in a well-executed penalty kill for FSU. Fifteen minutes into the period, the Rams were on their first power play of the game. This enabled Rizzotto and freshmen Amy Tansek and Kalina Cochran to find opportunities on goal, which were deflected by Tegethoff. After the first buzzer, Chamoun had already accumulated 20 saves. The second period proved key to Framingham’s success. Lewis won the faceoff and, after several well-executed passes, the puck was shot from Wilson's stick to the back corner of the net for the Rams’ first and only goal of the game. Wilson said the goal “was honestly a fluke. I was on the blue line and dumped the puck close to the net. It bounced off the boards, and when Anna Maria’s goalie tried to deflect the puck, she deflected it into the net.” After breaking the deadlock, the Rams spent the rest of the period focused on defending their goal and preventing the Amcats from tying up the game. Chamoun remained vigilant in the net, defending against another 20 shots. Around 5 minutes into the second period, Wilson was sent to the penalty box for cross-checking. The following minute, Chamoun was penalized for slashing, with freshman Bella Nappi serving the penalty in her place. Now at a two-player deficit, Framingham continued to stay steady on the defensive end, succeeding in holding off Anna Maria’s advances. A minute after Wilson was sent back onto the ice, freshman Ruby Boucher was put in the box for cross-checking, bringing the Rams back down to only three players for another full minute. The Rams were left at a player deficit four more times during the period, Rizzotto, Boucher, and freshmen Ceira Garrity and Alyssa Tansek each serving two minutes in the penalty box. During the final period of the game, Anna Maria’s offensive pressure increased, pressing for an equalizing goal. Chamoun said during the third period, the team planned to take a more defensive approach to the game. She said, “We were keeping pucks deep in Anna Maria’s zone trying to run the clock. There was a lot of pressure on us to be up by 1 in such a close game. Obviously, another goal would’ve been great but protecting our own zone and keeping Anna Maria to the outside was the best move. We executed it perfectly.” Chamoun’s 8 saves in the third, as well as FSU’s successful penalty kill, proved crucial in securing the team's first win in program history. Head Coach Robert Lavin said, “We work hard every practice doing drills that reinforce competing and winning small-area battles. … We also improved a ton by playing tight defense in our zone, which helped our goalies gain more confidence and make more saves.” As the final buzzer sounded through the rink, the women came together in a long-awaited revelry. Chamoun noted, “Winning the game felt incredible. There’s nothing like hearing the final buzzer and rushing to your teammates to celebrate.” Chamoun was named MASCAC Goalie of the Week following this shutout game, her impressive 48 saves allowing her to stand out against the competition. She said, “Getting Goalie of the Week was awesome, but honestly, just winning the game and celebrating with my teammates felt like an award in itself.” Lavin commended the team’s performance throughout the season, emphasizing their final game of the first semester. He said, “Our team kept positive all season. … I think our turning point was our last game in the first semester against Anna Maria, when we lost 3-2. We played great and Lila Chamoun played unbelievably, and that helped motivate us for the second semester.” After such a tumultuous season, there is no denying that the team was more than deserving of this win. Lavin said, “Our first win was definitely a great feeling. I was so happy for the team and Framingham State. Second semester, we lost two overtime games and a bunch of two- and three-goal games, so I knew we were playing better and it was a matter of time before we got rewarded.” Lewis said, “It felt really good to see our hard work pay off. I think we will carry the momentum from winning that game into next year. I think you are going to see us in the win column a lot more next season.” This win marked what may in future years be referred to as one of the program's most historically significant games. Wilson said, “I think it’s monumental for us to end the regular season with a win. It sets us up even better for next year and to let us know in our first year we’ve started something pretty great.” An unfortunate loss against the Raiders of Rivier University at the conclusion of the first round of playoffs Feb. 26 cut the Rams’ extended season short. This unsuccessful playoff game closed the door on the team’s 2024-25 season, but their win against Anna Maria opened a window to future successes in the coming years. Chamoun said, “We all knew that win was the first of many for our program, and we’re excited to carry that momentum into next season and continue building this team.”