Statistics
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BIDDEFORD, Maine -- A pair of 3rd-period power play goals provided the University of Southern Maine with a 2-1 decision against the University of New England in the women's ice hockey season-opening contest at the Harold Alfond Forum on Friday afternoon (Oct. 27).
The Huskies trailed for nearly 30 minutes in the match, entering the final frame down 1-0, but Amanda Crowley cashed in on their next extra-skater opportunity at the 6:18 mark to tie the score. Maddy Young and Jess MacLean assisted on the play, setting it for Crowley to circle with the puck in space below the right dot and fire a tough-angle attempt just under the crossbar at the near post.
USM converted on another power play chance with just under seven minutes remaining for what ended up being the deciding tally. Coming out of the defensive zone in transition, MacLean found Georgie Snow on the left wing, who then cut into the middle between a couple of defenders and chipped one over the netminder inside the right post.
The Nor'easters had 25 seconds of a 6-on-4 inside the last minute of play, and then 34 ticks with the goalie pulled, but were unable to find an equalizer.
Ellie Fredenburg had 17 saves for Southern Maine, which wound up on top of a 32-18 margin in shots. For the hosts, who went 0-for-5 on power plays,
Delanie Corcoran turned in 30 stops. The Nor'easters also blocked 15 tries, including eight in the 3rd --
Hannah Humes had a team-high three.
UNE broke onto the scoreboard first, 17:21 into the season, when
Piper Desorcie picked up the puck in the right circle with speed and curled below the goal line before banking a shot off the back of Fredenburg.
Keely Kasputis and
Jamie Ryan helped move possession out of the defensive end and through the neutral zone
[Watch].
The Huskies had a 17-6 edge in shots during the middle period, aided by five power play looks, but Corcoran and the Nor'easters managed to hang on to the slim cushion.
UNE will entertain Plymouth State University on Saturday night (7 p.m.) to close out the weekend.
