Box Score

BOSTON -- Sophomore Shannon Smith tied things up with 7.7 seconds remaining in regulation, and then tallied the game-winner with 1:35 left in overtime, as the University of New England defeated the University of Massachusetts Boston, 4-3, in the ECAC East League women's ice hockey regular-season finale on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 21) at the Beacons Ice Arena.

The Nor'easters (6-14-5, 3-11-3), in their first year competing in the ECAC East, clinch a place in the league postseason championship with the result. UNE will head to top-seeded Norwich University next Saturday in the quarterfinal round; the official tournament pairings will be announced on Sunday.

Smith matched the third-year program game record for goals (3) with the score in OT.

Trailing 1-0 entering the 3rd period, UNE got even 5:01 into the frame on a goal by sophomore Emily Corrales, with assists to first-year Annie Mullen and sophomore Melissa Boudreau. Smith put the visitors in front (2-1) just 2:36 later with her first marker of the day, with an assist credited to junior Marissa Clifford-Biederman.

The Beacons (9-12-4, 6-9-2 ECAC East) were behind for only 32 seconds, though, as Michaela Faia answered to make it 2-2. Alli Bianchini then gave the advantage back to UMB (3-2) with 4:30 to go.

In a last-ditch attempt to extend the game, the Nor'easters pulled sophomore goalie Sydney Helmbrecht with 15 seconds remaining and the extra attacker gave UNE enough of an edge to level the match. Sophomore Gabby Crugnale and Clifford-Biederman registered assists as Smith netted the equalizer.

Clifford-Biederman and Crugnale also assisted on the overtime tally.

Helmbrecht posted the third-highest save total of her young career, totaling 49 stops.

For UMass Boston, which received a late-1st goal from Jenny Currie to begin the scoring, goalie Kailyn Burke made 25 saves.