Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Samantha McKenzie netted two-thirds of her hat trick in the 1st period to lead Salve Regina University in a 5-2 result against the University of New England in non-conference women's ice hockey action Saturday evening (Nov. 22) at the Harold Alfond Forum.

The Seahawks (4-3-0) are competing as an independent this season after the New England Hockey Conference broke off into various geographic pieces at the end of last year. The Nor'easters (2-5-0) first played SRU back when UNE was still independent, as a second-year program, but then met for 10 straight seasons as fellow conference members. And, come 2026-27, Salve ice hockey will become an associate member of the Conference of New England and rejoin a familiar group of institutions.

The visitors converted both power-play chances during the opening frame, first by McKenzie on a bouncing rebound in the crease (3:29) and then Ashtyn Bringardner (14:12), banked off a player in front. The Seahawks capped the period at 3-0 when Kiersten Rasmussen passed from behind the cage to an open McKenzie in the slot for a one-timer (17:54). Shots were 10-1 in the session.

The Nor'easters tilted the ice back the other way a bit in the 2nd, as shots favored the hosts by a 14-8 count, and received a fortunate carom off a skate to get on the board at the 8:11 mark. As Danielle McCarthy and Morgan Hill transitioned UNE to the offensive zone, Hill dropped it back for a trailing Averi Curran, who shoveled it wide before it changed direction and went through the five-hole of an unsuspecting Taylor Hannafan between the SRU pipes.

The home team continued to apply more pressure, but a late 3-on-2 ended with McKenzie stuffing a feed from Riley Esposito to restore the cushion to three (4-1).

Rasmussen padded the lead in the latter portion of the 3rd, before Jamie DuPont got one back with 47.5 seconds remaining for the Nor'easters, with assists going to Adria Tebo and Kaylen Taddia.

Hannafan totaled 17 stops for the visitors, who received four-point nights from McKenzie, Rasmussen, and Esposito.

Danielle DeJon made 22 saves for UNE, which travels to Bowdoin College on Tuesday.