Box Score

HARRISVILLE, R.I. -- Grace Murphy had a hand in all three Nichols College goals, including scoring the game-winner at 8:20 of the third as the Bison fought off the University of New England for a 3-1 win in an ECAC Women's East ice hockey game played Friday evening at Levy Rink.

The victory upped Nichols' overall record to 5-10-0, 2-6-0 in ECAC East play. The Nor'easters dropped to 4-10-3, 1-7-1 in league games.

With the score tied 1-1 in the final frame, Murphy converted a one-timer from the left post with the Bison on a 5-on-3 power play. Murphy took advantage of a feed from Kerri Nadeau to notch her fifth goal of the season, which came at 8:20 of the period.

Alyssa Bufis would add an insurance goal at the 17:32 mark, receiving a feed from Murphy and potting a wrist shot glove side.

UNE had opened the scoring in the first period. With her team on the power play, Shannon Reynolds sent a centering pass from the left boards to Mary Wirth, who fired a wrist shot through a screen and over the shoulder of Nichols goaltender Tori Gianformaggio to give Big Blue a 1-0 lead.

The Bison answered back at 6:47 of the second when Kelly Downey came up with her first collegiate marker, with Murphy and Taylor Brown assisting on the play.

Gianformaggio stopped 27 of 28 shots to record the win for Nichols. Her counterpart, Sydney Helmbrecht, totaled 27 saves for the Nor'easters.

UNE is idle until next Friday when the Nor'easters host the University of Southern Maine at 4 p.m.