Statistics

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Goaltender Kirsten DiCicco turned aside 31 shots, while Hannah Keating and Kaylen Taddia provided the scoring as the University of New England earned a 2-1 decision over Suffolk University in a Conference of New England (CNE) women's ice hockey tilt Saturday afternoon (Feb. 1) at the Harold Alfond Forum.

With its second 2-1 victory over Suffolk in less than 24 hours, UNE (9-9-1, 7-5-1 CNE) completed a season sweep of the Rams. The Nor'easters had also topped Suffolk, 4-3, back on Nov. 26.

The lone goal of the opening period came off the stick of Keating, who intercepted a failed clearing pass in the Suffolk defensive zone before skating in and chipping a backhanded shot over Suffolk goaltender Katelyn Michals [Watch]. Keating's fifth goal of the season -- and third in the last three games -- came 14:13 into the frame.

UNE picked up what would prove to be a much-needed insurance goal at 16:39 of the second period when Taddia buried a wrist shot from the slot [Watch]. Lainie Lemieux found Taddia skating toward the cage, and Emily LeBrun was credited with a secondary assist.

Suffolk came out strong in the third period, pulling within one (2-1)  with 8:50 elapsed as Sammy Lassman re-directed a shot by Shayna Deutsch into the goal.

The Rams continued to push late, controlling the puck in UNE's defensive zone the majority of time over the final few minutes. After Suffolk pulled Michals in favor of an extra skater with 1:24 remaining, DiCicco came up with a big stop 13 seconds later, denying a point-blank shot by Sam Molind to help preserve the win.

DiCicco's 31 stops were evenly-distributed with 10 in the first, 10 in the second and 11 in the final stanza. Her performance followed a 36-save effort in Friday's victory.

Michals finished with 17 saves for Suffolk, which dropped to 8-10-1 overall, 6-6-1 in conference play.

The win solidifield the Nor'easters hold on second place in the CNE standings (22 points). UNE returns to action this coming Friday with a 7 p.m. road contest versus Curry College.