FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Nicole Bessinger's third-period tally could not energize the comeback as the Sacred Heart University women's ice hockey team fell in the third-place game of the Hockey Commissioners Association's Ice Breaker Tournament, 4-1, to No. 10 Northeastern on Saturday afternoon.
The Huskies started out the game on the front foot, putting the Pioneers under pressure and opening the scoring four minutes into the game with Taze Thompson's first of the afternoon. With a developing two-on-one, Thompson elected to shoot from the wing, going five-hole on SHU goaltender
Jillian Petruno to give the visitors an early lead.
Halfway through the opening frame, Thompson earned her second of the night after sending a loose puck in the low slot past the left leg of Petruno after SHU had failed to clear the zone. The Huskies later tacked on another goal with under 10 second left in the period with Skylar Irving's first goal of the year to give the Huskies a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes of action.
In a contentious second period, the Pios earned two power-play opportunities to get back in the game but failed to convert, ultimately going 0-for-3 on the power-play on the day. Just 28 seconds after SHU's second unsuccessful power-play, the Huskies extended the lead to four as Ella Blackmore scored her first collegiate goal on a two-on-none, deking out Petruno and depositing her backhand shot into an open cage as Northeastern went into the locker room ahead 4-0.
The Pios found their footing in the third, earning another power play just five minutes into the frame. Unable to capitalize on the personnel advantage, the Pioneers used the momentum and continued to pressure Northeastern. SHU's
Nicole Bessinger tallied her first goal of the season with a wrist shot labeled for the top corner beat Northeastern's Gwyneth Philips after a failed clearing attempt by Northeastern found her stick in the low slot.
SHU continued to battle for the rest of the period, outshooting the Huskies 13-7 in the final frame but could not solve the Northeastern goaltender as the Pios fell, 4-1.
Top Performers:
Of Note:
- First year Amelia Lynch made her collegiate debut, recording one block during the game.
- Bessinger's third period tally is her first goal since January 3, 2023, in what was a 4-0 win over Saint Michael's.
- Nevers' assist on Bessinger's tally is her first point since recording a goal in SHU's 2-1 loss to Franklin Pierce in last season's NEWHA Tournament Quarterfinal.
Up Next:
The Pios are back in action next weekend when they take on Saint Anselm in Manchester, N.H., on Friday, October 27, and Saturday, October 28. Puck drop from Sullivan Arena is scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday. Live statistics and livestream information will be available on sacredheartpioneers.com.
