WINCHENDON, Mass. — In the first NEWHA matchup of the New Year, the Sacred Heart University women's ice hockey team dropped a 3-0 contest at Franklin Pierce on Friday.

The Pioneers fell to 10-9-1 overall and 5-3-1 in the league, while the ravens improved to 10-8-1 and 6-3.

The teams battled through a scoreless first period until FPU tallied the first goal of the game with under three minutes to go in the second. The home team extended their lead with two goals in the remaining 35 seconds of the final period.

Goaltender Frankie Sanchez caught 26 pucks between the pipes for a .929 save percentage. Kelly Solak and Kennedy Spiering accounted for eight of the Pioneers' 14 blocks.

The Red & White continue their two-game series at Franklin Pierce on Saturday, with a 7 p.m.