Women’s Ice Hockey Takes Care of Plymouth State, 3-0

Women’s Ice Hockey Takes Care of Plymouth State, 3-0

WINCHENDON, Mass. (January 27, 2017) – A week removed from the signature weekend thus far in program history, the Franklin Pierce University women's ice hockey team was back to business as usual on Friday night at the Jason Ritchie Ice Arena. The Ravens pumped in a pair of goals in a dominant first period and never looked back, as they surrendered just 16 shots on goal in a 3-0 shutout of Plymouth State in New England Hockey Conference play. Senior forward Alysha Raimo (Fitchburg, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal and later added an assist.

With the win, Franklin Pierce improves to 12-4-1 (8-3-0 NEHC) and has won four in a row, while Plymouth State falls to 7-10-2 (3-7-1 NEHC).

Franklin Pierce got the only goal it would need just 6:12 into the proceedings on Friday night. From the right-wing side, freshman forward Kayla Trujillo (Pueblo, Colo.) sent the puck to the left point for freshman defenseman Bridgette Prentiss (Buffalo, N.Y.), who quickly sent it to the bottom of the left circle for Raimo. Raimo had time and space to shoot from there and put her fifth goal of the season in on the short side.

Later in a frame in which they held a 17-4 shots advantage, the Ravens needed just seven seconds to cash in on a power-play opportunity to make it 2-0. Prentiss played a role again, sending the puck from the left point to senior forward Michelle Holmes (Goffstown, N.H.) at the bottom of the left circle. Holmes would then send a centering feed to junior forward Hailee Craig (Canton, Mich.), who buried her sixth of the campaign from between the hash marks at 18:36.

The third and final goal of the night came 3:14 into the third period. Trujillo pushed the puck out of the defensive end, allowing senior forward Marisa Ketterman (Palmer, Alaska) to steam up the left wing with possession and lead a rush into the offensive end. From the left-wing circle, she slipped a centering pass to Raimo, who had her shot turned aside by Plymouth State junior goaltender Mariah Trupp. However, Trupp left the rebound at the top of the crease, and Ketterman quickly salted it into the vacant net for her ninth goal of the year.

Senior goaltender Shannon O'Neil (Tewksbury, Mass.) was largely untested on the night, as the Ravens posted a 35-16 edge in shots on goal. Still, she stopped all 16 shots she faced to pick up the win (10-3-1) and post her 12th career shutout. Trupp (3-3-1) made 32 saves and suffered the loss between the pipes for Plymouth State.

The Ravens return to the ice on Saturday, Jan. 28, when they travel to Manhattanville for an NEHC contest. Opening faceoff is set for 3 p.m. at Playland Ice Casino in Rye, N.Y.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce women's ice hockey apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).