Box Score
Photo Gallery

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Senior Lauren Guarente recorded a hat trick and Colby College scored the final three goals on the way to a 6-3 non-conference win over the University of New England in women's ice hockey action Tuesday evening (Jan. 20) at the Harold Alfond Forum.

The Mules move up over .500 (8-7) with their second consecutive victory, while the Nor'easters slip back to 4-9-3 overall.

Moments after Big Blue first-year Annie Mullen knotted things at 3-3 with 6:34 gone in the 3rd, Colby took advantage of a UNE penalty (7:14) and posted the go-ahead goal at the 7:25 mark off the stick of junior Maddie Dewhirst.

Just over two minutes later, the visitors upped the margin to 5-3 when first-year Bella Papapetros knocked in a rebound, and Guarente capped her night with 40 seconds remaining on a wrister into the left side from the slot.

Colby ended on top of a 42-22 margin in shots.

The hosts opened the scoring 2:19 into the contest on a goal by sophomore Shannon Smith, but Guarente struck right back 52 seconds later, picking up a turnover and hitting the upper right corner from inside the left dot.

Things remained level at the 1st intermission, despite the Mules putting 20 attempts on target. UNE sophomore goalie Sydney Helmbrecht turned aside 19 of the her 36 saves to keep Big Blue close.

Colby took its first lead (2-1) just 57 seconds into the 2nd period when sophomore Katie McLaughlin controlled a defensive-zone turnover and slipped a backhand five-hole.

The cushion didn't last long, however, as Smith countered at the 1:43 mark with a low shot into the right corner from the left circle. Possession leveled out in the middle 20 minutes, with just a slight edge (8-6) in shots going to the Mules.

Guarente's second marker of the contest -- a five-hole shot off a loose puck right in front of the UNE cage -- began the 3rd frame (1:34) to make it 3-2, before Mullen brought UNE back even for the final time.

Colby first-year Sasha Fritts tallied a pair of assists down the stretch to support the attack, while senior Carolyn Fuwa and sophomore Eleanor Knutzen each added one. Junior goalie Angelica Crites backstopped the decision with 19 saves.

Four Nor'easters registered assists in the match -- junior Marissa Clifford-Biederman, and sophomores Melissa Boudreau, Emily Corrales, and Richelle Skarbowski. Smith's two-goal outing was her second in as many games.

The Mules get back to their NESCAC schedule this weekend with a series against Williams College, kicking off a seven-game home stand.

UNE is set to visit Nichols College on Friday (6:40 p.m.) as ECAC East play continues.