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BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Amanda Forziati delivered the go-ahead goal with 13 minutes remaining and Kyleigh Matola notched 11 of her 24 saves in the 3rd period to help the University of New England secure a 2-1 Conference of New England (CNE) women's ice hockey triumph versus Johnson & Wales University on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 31) at the Harold Alfond Forum.

Things remained even through 40 minutes of action, despite the Nor'easters out-shooting the Wildcats by a 14-2 margin in the 2nd stanza. It was still a stalemate in the early stages of the final frame, until Danielle McCarthy muffled an attempt by JWU to clear the puck from the corner and it fell right in front of Forziati on the left dot for a quick wrist shot inside the far post [Watch]. It was the team-leading sixth goal for the junior.

Johnson & Wales pulled the goalie for an extra attacker with 1:37 on the clock, but could not find the equalizer. Forziati provided a pair of blocked shots in a late sequence that was capped by a Matola save to hold the edge [Watch].

In rebounding from Friday's 1-0 overtime setback in Rhode Island, UNE improves to 9-11-0 overall and 5-8-0 in CNE contests.

The hosts had jumped on the board less than three minutes into the game, as Kaylen Taddia punched home a rolling puck at the left post [Watch]. Adria Tebo and Jamie DuPont assisted on the score.

The Wildcats (9-9-1, 6-6-1) got back level in the waning seconds of the opening session on a power play goal by Kylie O'Keefe. The visitors had recorded 12 out of the 16 shots during the 1st period to keep most of the pressure away from goaltender Jaelynn Bucinell, who eventually finished with 25 saves.

In support of Matola, Forziati and Taddia shared the team-high of three blocked shots for UNE, which is back in the Forum on Friday to entertain Curry College. The Nor'easters will then head to JWU on Saturday for the third and final regular-season meeting between the squads.