Statistics

BURRILLVILLE, R.I. -- Nichols College took an early lead and never trailed en route to a 4-2 result against the University of New England to wrap the Conference of New England (CNE) women's ice hockey slate on Saturday (Feb. 22) at Levy Rink.

The Bison finish the year at 8-14-3 overall and 5-10-3 in league play, while the Nor'easters (12-12-1, 9-8-1) settle on the third line of the standings. UNE will entertain sixth seed Johnson & Wales University (R.I.) in the opening round of the 2025 CNE Women's Ice Hockey Championship on Wednesday at 7 p.m.,  with the winner headed to No.2 seed Curry College next Saturday.

A score by Anneliese Klein just 2:04 into the match gave the hosts an edge that lasted more than 20 minutes. But at 4:13 of the 2nd, the Nor'easters got on the board to pull even. Lainie Lemieux found the back of the net for the third time in eight days with the help of Hannah Humes, who couldn't quite chase down a puck through the neutral zone and fell forward, only to then block the ensuing clear attempt off the NC blue line with her helmet and spring Lemieux on a mini break.

Nichols used a power play to regain the lead (2-1) off the stick of Kerstin Ambruso only 88 seconds later, though. However, this advantage didn't make it five minutes (10:19) before Adria Tebo snapped one from the left dot over the near-side shoulder of McKenzie Muir for her team-leading seventh goal of the season. The play (4-on-4) began on the opposite end with a blocked shot by Mackenzie O'Leary that was collected, in-stride, by Kelly McCarthy, who curled towards the right wall to send an outlet pass to Tebo on the left wing.

The teams skated into the 3rd still knotted at 2-2 and the Bison slipped ahead midway through the frame on a tally by Grace Melanson. The Nor'easters were unable to convert on a couple of power plays earlier in the period, and then Nichols added an insurance goal on an empty net with under one minute to go, as Klein struck again.

Melanson and Ema Jaskova shared the team-high of three points for the Bison, while Rhea Bullens contributed a pair of assists. Melanson also went 23-for-32 in faceoffs. Muir racked up 45 saves, and had the help of Katherine Segalla blocking seven other shots from making it to the target.

O'Leary had a squad-best three blocks for UNE, which received 14-of-24 faceoffs from Jamie DuPont. Between the pipes, Kaleigh Laurendeau (40 minutes) and Kirsten DiCicco (19:23) combined almost evenly for 20 saves.

Wednesday's first round matchup with JWU will be the fourth meeting of the year between the programs. The Wildcats took a weekend home-and-home from the Nor'easters back at the start of November (2-1, 1-0), before DuPont lifted the Nor'easters in overtime (2-1) at home on February 14.