Box Score

COLCHESTER, Vt. -- Gabby Crugnale tallied a pair of unassisted goals to power the University of New England women's ice hockey team to a 4-1 season-opening win over Saint Michael's College in a non-league game played Friday evening (Oct. 31) at Cairns Arena.

The Nor'easters spotted the hosts an early 1-0 advantage 4:44 into the period. After a shot by Kayla Kee was deflected, Amanda Kampainen came up with the loose puck and tapped it through a crowd in front of the crease.

UNE responded by tying the score at 1-1 just over three minutes later. With her team on the power play, Crugnale converted a wrist shot far post from just inside the goal line to the right of the cage.

Big Blue dominated play in the second frame, outshooting the Purple Knights 21-6 while taking a 3-1 advantage. Cassandra Connolly came up with what would prove to be the game-winner, poking home a rebound off a shot by Gabriella Moscato at 8:29, then Crugnale went far-post from the right circle at the 16:10 mark.

The Nor'easters would add another insurance goal midway through the final period when Shannon Smith took a pass from Marissa Clifford-Biederman and broke up the ice on a breakaway before firing a shot from the top of the slot.

Samantha Scobee had 17 stops for the Nor'easters, who held a 38-18 advantage in shots. Her counterpart, Tina Frasca, finished with 34 saves for Saint Michael's.

UNE will get its league schedule underway Nov. 7 when the Nor'easters take on reigning league champion Norwich University, which lost to Plattsburgh State in last season's national championship game. That game scheduled for Kreitzberg Arena in Northfield, Vt. will start at 4 p.m.