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BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Julianne Sheehan scored the game-winning goal with 9:55 elapsed in the third period to give the University of New England women's ice hockey team a 4-3 victory over the University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons in the New England Hockey Conference regular-season finale Saturday afternoon (Feb. 20) at the Harold Alfond Forum.

By virtue of their victory, the Nor'easters (14-8-2, 9-7-1 NEHC) secured a home first-round playoff game when the NEHC Championship gets underway next Saturday (Feb. 27) and will face Salve Regina University at 4 p.m. UMass Boston fell to 13-12-0 overall, 11-6-0 in conference play.
 
Leading 3-2 after two periods, the Nor'easters saw their lead evaporate just 28 seconds into the final frame when Kristen Embrey potted a shot from the low slot. Alexandra Karlis and Jenny Currie assisted on the goal.

Sheehan would tally the game-winner at 9:55 with the Nor'easters on the power play, going near-side with a wrist shot from the right circle. Shannon Smith and Annie Mullen set-up the play.

UMass Boston pulled goaltender Casey Schaejbe with 1:39 remaining in search of the equalizer, but the Nor'easters' defense was up to the task. The Beacons had a last-second shot from just inside the blue line, but Smith hit the ice to block the shot just before time expired.

The Beacons had grabbed a 1-0 lead 5:01 into the contest when Lizzie Aveson converted a slap shot from the mid-slot. 

UNE got that goal back less than two minutes later, as Mullen knocked in a rebound of her own shot at 6:54. Marissa Clifford-Biederman had an assist.

The Nor'easters would take a 2-1 lead at 11:23 when Kimberly Gosselin swept home a back-hander from the middle of the slot. Gabby Crugnale and Clifford-Biederman were credited with assists.

UMass Boston evened the score at 2-all 6:09 into the second period on a rebound goal by Embrey, who was perched on the right doorstep to poke in a saved shot from Alexa Cappione.

Sheehan responded to give UNE a 3-2 cushion at the 18:31 mark. Mullen spotted Sheehan in the neutral zone, and the rookie forward broke in alone, deked Schaejbe out of position, and slide the puck home.

Sydney Helmbrecht had a strong game in goal for UNE, stopping 37 shots. Schaejbe finished with 24 saves for the Beacons.


(story updated Feb. 21)