FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Isabella Chaput's third period breakthrough was enough to propel the Sacred Heart University women's ice hockey team back into the win column as the Pios took a 1-0 victory in their first-ever meeting against Assumption on Saturday night.
In a penalty-ridden first period it was the visitors who had themselves the better of the chances, sending a flurry of shots toward SHU netminder
Jillian Petruno who was equal to the task, stopping all 12 Assumption shots for a first-period shutout. Both teams had ample opportunities to open the scoring on the power play but could not find a way to hit the back of the net with both netminder's closing the door through the frame.
After killing off a 5-on-3 power play for the visitors, the Pioneers had their best chance of the game go begging as
Julianna Koman's bid right on the doorstep was saved by Mudrak with under 10 seconds left in the frame as the teams went into the break scoreless after 20 minutes.
The penalties continued to pile up for the home side in the second period as SHU gave the Greyhounds three more opportunities to capitalize on the power play, including over 90 seconds of 5-on-3 power play time, but Petruno and the Pios were equal to it all, killing all three opportunities.
SHU climbed its way back into the game in the second period, amassing 10 shots in the frame while finding its footing after extensive time on the penalty kill, funneling chances toward Mudrak in the final 10 minutes of the frame. The Pios, however, could not find their way past the pads of the Assumption netminder while Petruno held strong on the other end to keep the deadlock in place after 40 minutes.
After clawing back in the second period, the Pioneers started the stronger of the two sides in the final period, earning their third power play of the match just over two minutes in the period. Nine seconds later,
Isabella Chaput notched her seventh goal of the season to put the Pios on the board to earn the 1-0 lead.
After winning the primary faceoff after Assumption's Cassandra Johnson was sent off for tripping, the Pioneer power play went to work as defending NEWHA Defensive Player of the Month
Olivia LaRoche found Koman on the far side of the ice with Koman's pass being deflected by Chaput in the low slot past the pads of Mudrak to give the home side the lead.
The Pioneers continued to mount the pressure on the Greyhounds as the visitors tried to fight their toward an equalizing goal. However, Petruno was equal to all 13 shots on frame by Assumption in the period, tallying her second career shutout with a 36 save performance as the Pioneers held on to secure the 1-0 win.
Top Performers:
Of Note:
- Petruno's 36-save shutout on Saturday night was her second of her career and the second shutout she has had this season after earning a shutout against Saint Michael's on November 17.
- Chaput's third period tally is her seventh goal of the season and first goal since netting two goals against Franklin Pierce on November 4. She is now tied for second on the team with 11 points this season.
Up Next:
The Pioneers return to the ice next weekend for a home-and-home against in-state foes Post University on Friday, December 8, and Saturday, December 9. Puck drop from the Sports Center of Connecticut on Friday is slated for 1:30, while Saturday's matinee from Martire Family Arena is scheduled for 3 p.m. More information will be available on sacredheartpioneers.com.
