Three-Goal Second Carries Women’s Ice Hockey to 5-1 Win at UNE

BIDDEFORD, Maine (November 5, 2016) – Three goals in the second period ballooned a 2-1 lead into a 5-1 margin on Saturday afternoon, as the Franklin Pierce University women's ice hockey team would go on to win by a 5-1 final on the road at University of New England. The Ravens got goals from five different players in the New England Hockey Conference triumph at Harold Alfond Forum.

With the win, Franklin Pierce improves to 3-1-0 (2-1-0 NEHC), while UNE falls to 1-3-0 (1-1-0 NEHC).

The Nor'easters were first to strike on Saturday, getting on the board just 4:41 into the proceedings. Senior forward Gabby Crugnale struck for her first of the season, as she finished off assists from senior forward Mary Wirth and junior forward Kierra Wright.

Though Franklin Pierce would only amass a 27-22 edge in shots on goal on the day, it would be all Ravens on the scoreboard from there. Franklin Pierce struck twice in the final three minutes of the first to surge to a 2-1 lead it would never relinquish. First, at the 17:01 mark, senior forward Nina Danforth (Stratford, Conn.) scored her first goal of the campaign, with senior forward Lanie Matsumoto (Fort Collins, Colo.) and freshman defenseman Delaney Guimont (Bedford, N.H.) provided the assists. Just 2:22 later, on the power play at the 19:23 mark, senior forward Michelle Holmes (Goffstown, N.H.) put home her second goal of the year, which would stand as the game-winner. Junior forwards Alex Brolsma (Bloomington, Minn.) and Hailee Craig (Canton, Mich.) had the assists.

The Ravens poured in three more goals in the second period, before a scoreless third, to create the 5-1 final. At 6:03, Matsumoto made it a two-point night with her second goal of the season, off assists from freshman forward Meg Gilbride (Braintree, Mass.) and Brolsma. At 16:10, freshman defenseman Katie Neuburger (Fayetteville, N.Y.) scored her first collegiate goal, with helpers from Gilbride and Danforth. Freshman forward Ariana Soldano (Hanover, Mass.) capped the scoring with her first career goal, with freshman forward Kelsey Holmes (Warwick, R.I.) picking up the lone assist.

Senior goaltender Shannon O'Neil (Tewksbury, Mass.) made 21 saves against 22 shots on goal to pick up the win (3-1-0) in net for Franklin Pierce. At the other end of the ice, senior Sydney Helmbrecht (1-3-0) made 17 saves against 22 shots over the opening two period and suffered the loss for UNE. Freshman Catie Flagg logged the final 20 minutes and stopped all five shots she faced.

The Ravens return to the ice on Friday, Nov. 11, when they return home to host Saint Michael's in an NEHC contest. Opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m. at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena in Winchendon.

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).