FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Two second-period goals proved to be the difference as the Sacred Heart University women's hockey team fell to the Minnesota State Mavericks, 7-1, on Saturday night.
In a high-octane first period, the Mavericks opened the scoring just over five minutes into the game. Whitney Tuttle was able to capitalize on a 2-on-0, receiving a feed from Madison Mashuga that she deposited into the back of the net. The Mavericks doubled their lead two minutes later as Jamie Nelson banked in a sharp angle shot off of SHU netminder
Jillian Petruno to make it 2-0 with 11 minutes to play in the frame.
The Mavericks earned their third goal of the game with under five minutes to play as Kamryn Van Batavia scored off a rebound in the high slot to make it 3-0. The Pioneers clawed one back in the opening frame as
Kate Helgeson was able to chase her own dump-in, beating the defender in the corner and wiring a backhand shot far side on MSU's Suzette Faucher for SHU's first goal of the series. The Mavericks would tack on another goal in the final minute of the first period to take a 4-1 lead into the first intermission.
The Pioneers held their own in the second period, limiting the Mavericks to nine shots on goal while putting up four of their own in the process. MSU, however, extended its lead with under five minutes to play with Jenessa Gazdik and Charlotte Akervik scoring 35 seconds apart as the Mavericks led, 6-1, heading into the final period.
The Pioneers battled throughout the final period, doubling their shot total from the first two periods en route to 15 total in the game. MSU would tally another goal late in regulation as Taylor Otremba earned MSU's second power-play goal of the game making it 7-1 in favor of the visitors as the Mavericks held on to their six-goal advantage and earned the weekend series sweep.
Top Performers:
Of Note:
- Sophomore Jillian Petruno made her first start as a Pioneer after making her first appearance in the Red & White in the series opener Friday night. Petruno made a career-high 36 saves in the series finale Saturday night.
- Junior forward Kerryn O'Connell made her season debut after slotting into the lineup, registering two shots on goal on the night.
Up Next:
The Pioneers return to play next weekend with a home-and-home against NEWHA rivals LIU on Friday, October 13, and Saturday, October 14. Puck drop on Friday at Martire Family Arena is slated for 2 p.m., while Saturday's match in East Meadow, N.Y. is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Live statistics and livestream information will be available on sacredheartpioneers.com.
