Recap by student-staff writer Rich Rosa 

BRIDGEWATER, M.A. (3/9/2024) -- In front of a packed crowd at the Bridgewater Ice Arena Saturday afternoon, the Stonehill Skyhawks captured their first NEWHA Conference Championship in program history, beating the Franklin Pierce Ravens 3-2 in overtime.

Score: Franklin Pierce 2, Stonehill 3 (F/OT)
Records: Franklin Pierce (18-16-1, 14-13-1 NEWHA), Stonehill (21-15-2, 17-9-2 NEWHA)
Location: Bridgewater, M.A (Bridgewater Ice Arena)
Date: Saturday, March 9, 2024

HOW IT HAPPENED:
• In the first period, Stonehill sophomore forward Alexis Petford scored the game's first goal. The Ravens turned the puck over and Petford had a breakaway opportunity. Petford buried the puck past sophomore goaltender Jill Hertl (Highland Park, III.) for her fifth goal of the NEWHA playoffs to make it a 1-0 game.

• Less than two minutes into the second period, Franklin Pierce tied the game on a goal by sophomore forward Sydnee Wilson (Port Moody, B.C.). The two teams battled for the puck along the boards deep in the Skyhawks' defensive zone. After it was punched out to FPU defenseman Ashley Wright (Milford, CT), Wright quickly passed it across to Alexandria Cistolo (Berea, OH) who fired a shot from the blue line. Missing one defender then another, the puck was redirected by Wilson who lit the lamp and scored her first goal as a Raven.

• Three minutes later, Stonehill regained the lead on a goal by sophomore forward Kathryn Karo. Karo weaved her way past junior defender Julia Stevens (Minneapolis, MN) and scored her first goal of the postseason on the second attempt as the puck went in between the legs of Hertl.

• With under a minute to play in the second period, the Ravens had their fifth power play opportunity. Ruiz worked her way into the offensive zone and fired a shot past Stonehill sophomore goaltender Eve Stone for her first career playoff goal with Franklin Pierce to tie the game at two. The game was tied at two, heading into the final period of the NEWHA Championship.

• Both teams could not find the back of the net in the third period. With under three minutes remaining in regulation, the Ravens killed off the Skyhawk's first power play opportunity of the game. For the first time in NEWHA history, the championship game headed to overtime.

• Sophomore forward Bailey Feeney scored the game-winner on the power play in overtime for Stonehill. In their second season in the NEWHA Conference, the Skyhawks won their first-ever championship. Feeney deflected the puck in the slot off the initial opportunity by senior forward Paige Whaley past Hertl for her fourth goal of the postseason. It was Stonehill's fifth overtime win of the season and second of the playoffs.

• The Stonehill Skyhawks won 3-2 in overtime and punched their ticket to the NCAA Division I Women's Hockey Tournament.

BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS:
• Hertl made 33 saves on 36 shots for Franklin Pierce. For Stonehill, Stone made 21 saves on 23 shots.

• Stonehill won 35 faceoffs and outshot Franklin Pierce 36-23.

• Both teams had one goal on the power play.

NEXT UP FOR THE RAVENS:
• The 2023-2024 season for the Ravens has ended. Franklin Pierce played every game in the playoffs on the road. The highlight of the playoffs was beating LIU 4-3 in OT in the NEWHA Semifinals.