Box Score
Post-Game Interview

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- First-year Gabby Crugnale scored the game-winner 5:48 into the third, and sophomore goaltender Courtney Kendall had 22 saves as the University of New England edged New England College, 2-1, in a non-league women's ice hockey game Saturday afternoon (Nov. 9) at the Harold Alfond Forum.

The victory get the Nor'easters back to the .500 mark at 2-2-1, while the Pilgrims drop to 0-3-0.

Crugnale broke a 1-1 tie, stuffing home a rebound after first-year Melissa Boudreau had rushed up the right side and put a shot on frame. Rookie Gabriella Moscato was credited with a secondary assist on the play.

Held scoreless for more than two periods of play, the Pilgrms had gotten on the scoreboard less than three minutes earlier when first-year Tori Polehonka directed a slap shot from the right point that eluded several UNE defenders and slid just inside the left post. Senior Kristin Dehm assisted on the goal.

First-year Shannon Smith provided Big Blue with a 1-0 lead at 14:25 of the first, knocking in a rebound for her second tally in as many days. Sophomore Marissa Clifford-Biederman and junior Jaclyn Bria registered assists.

For the game, UNE held a 31-23 advantage in shots.

Kendall's 22-save effort included a pair of glove stops on NEC point-blank opportunities in the second and a save on a breakaway bid by first-year MacKenzie Meegan with 15:00 remaining in the contest.

Junior Lauren Hopps turned aside 29 shots for the Pilgrims, who return to action next Friday (Nov. 15) at the University of Southern Maine.

Next up for UNE is a 7 p.m. road game Tuesday (Nov. 12) at UMass Boston.


Click HERE to watch the post-game interview with Courtney Kendall and Gabby Crugnale