FALMOUTH, Maine (December 14, 2019) – For one period, the Franklin Pierce University women's ice hockey team was extremely competitive with Hockey East opponent University of Maine at the Family Ice Center on Saturday night. Through two-and-a-half periods, the Ravens were still just a goal behind the Black Bears, despite a sizable shots differential. Things came undone late, on the back end of a dual-road-trip weekend, as Maine chalked up a 5-1 victory in the neutral-site, non-conference affair. Sophomore goaltender Emme Ostrander (Westborough, Mass.) piled up a program record 55 saves in the loss for Franklin Pierce.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 11-6-0, while Maine improves to 8-9-2. It is the first time Franklin Pierce has lost three straight games since a four-game losing skid on Feb. 2-10, 2018.

The Ravens converted on the game's first power play to open the scoring at the 7:40 mark of the first period. From the middle of the blue line, freshman defenseman Bethany Ross (Canton, Mich.) moved the puck over to the right-wing side for freshman forward Becca Kniss (Eden Prairie, Minn.). Kniss let her shot fly from there, which was saved, but Maine senior goaltender Carly Jackson left a juicy rebound on the left side. Junior forward Haley Parker (Londonderry, N.H.) was all over the loose puck, which she quickly snapped back into the net for her team-leading ninth goal of the season.

The tables turned, rather abruptly, against Franklin Pierce in the second period. The Ravens were under siege throughout the middle frame, as Maine piled up a 25-3 advantage in shots. Still, Franklin Pierce nearly survived the onslaught with the lead, as the Ravens successfully killed off a pair of penalties, including 34 seconds of 5-on-3 time. Maine sophomore forward Ally Johnson rang the crossbar on a dangerous chance from the middle of the left circle in the middle of the frame. Ostrander would finish the period with 24 saves.

However, with just 2:06 remaining in the stanza, the Black Bears broke through to tie the game at 1-1. Freshman forward Ida Kuoppala ultimately flipped home a rebound at the left post for her eighth goal of the season, while sophomore forward Ali Beltz and senior forward Vendula Pribylova provided the assists.

Franklin Pierce was ultimately outshot 48-5 over the final two periods, as it appeared tired legs began to catch up with the team at the back end of a weekend which featured back-to-back road trips, especially compared to a rested Maine team which did not play on Friday. Maine finished the night with an overall shots advantage of 60-15.

The levee would give way at the 6:29 mark of the third period, as the Black Bears struck for the eventual game-winner on the power play. It was a third-chance goal, as Ostrander made a save against the initial shot from the left point and the follow-up effort from the top of the crease, before Beltz knocked home the third attempt at the right post. Johnson and junior defenseman Taylor Leech provided the assists on Beltz's fourth goal of the campaign.

The wheels then fell off for Franklin Pierce down the stretch, as the Black Bears scored thrice over the final 3:12.  The first insurance tally came at 16:48, as sophomore forward Celine Tedenby was able to find some room to waltz out between the hash marks and snapped a shot to the top shelf for her sixth of the season. Senior forward Tereza Vanisova and Jackson had the assists.

Another score, just 20 seconds later, at 17:08, would all but put the game away. Freshman forward Ally Trimper finished things off at the right post for her first collegiate goal, while twin sister Morgan Trimper and senior defenseman Ebba Strandberg tacked on the helpers.

The capper came at 18:58, as Vanisova wound up with a partial break in the offensive end. She deked her way to the left post and finished off her team-leading 11^th goal of the season, unassisted.

Ostrander (8-6-0) chalked up her second 50-save performance of the season, with 55 stops against 60 shots. The 55 saves broke her own program record of 53, set in the season opener against New Hampshire on Sept 29. Jackson (5-6-1) stopped 14 of 15 shots at the other end to pick up the win for Maine.

After the semester break, the Ravens return to the ice on Tuesday, Jan. 7, when they travel to Saint Anselm for an NEWHA contest. Opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m. at Sullivan Arena in Manchester, N.H.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (https://www.fpuravens.com). 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 ice hockey apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' brand new online store (https://www.shopfpuravens.com).