FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Coming off a split against Saint Anselm last weekend, the Sacred Heart University women's ice hockey team is back in action this Thursday, January 18, traveling to Winchendon, Mass., to conclude its regular season series against the Franklin Pierce Ravens. Puck drop from Jason Ritchie Ice Arena is slated for 7 p.m. 
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Pioneers had a successful weekend against Saint Anselm just under seven days ago, splitting a home series against the Hawks with a thumping, 6-2 win in Friday's contest before going the distance on Saturday, dropping a hard-fought contest in overtime, 1-0. 
 
Having dropped a midweek clash against Assumption earlier in the week, the Pioneers looked to exact revenge on the Hawks after dropping both contests earlier in the season. Entering the second period down 1-0, the Pios quickly flipped the game on its head halfway through the frame, scoring three times in a span of 2:35 to take a 3-1 lead as Paige McNeil's two goals bookended Isabella Chaput's team-leading ninth goal of the season. The Red & White would tack on another three goals in the remaining period and change as Cassie Nevers broke a 10-game goal-scoring drought to give the Pioneers a well-earned 6-2 win. 
 
After the previous night's eight-goal outing, goals proved hard to earn in the series finale. In goal, sophomore netminder Jillian Petruno followed up her 32-save outing in Friday's contest with a 48-save showing in the finale, including making 22 stops in the third period to push the game to overtime. In the extra frame, Petruno once again came up big for the Pioneers, stopping an initial breakaway opportunity for Saint Anselm before another rush chance made its way into the back of the net as the Pios fell in overtime, 1-0.  
 
ON FRANKLIN PIERCE
The Ravens head into the weekend having won four of their last five contests after splitting last weekend's series on the road at LIU. In game one, the Ravens utilized a three-goal onslaught in the second period to take a 4-2 lead into the final frame, holding the Sharks at bay for the remaining period en route to a 4-3 win before dropping game two in overtime, 2-1. 
 
Junior Mikayla Kelley leads the Ravens with 20 points on the year after picking up her team-leading 10^th assist on the year in Friday's win. Seniors Emilie Prive and Claire Casey sits second and third on the team in points with 16 and 14 points through 22 games, respectively. Sophomore Anna Caumo has proven to be an offensive force for FPU, placing second on the squad with 7 goals in her first season of play. 
 
In goal, FPU is led by reigning NEWHA Goaltender of the Week and Hockey Commissioner's Association Goaltender of the Year "Watch List" honoree, Jill Hertl, who has started in 15 games this season, including both matches against LIU last weekend. The sophomore netminder is third in the conference in goals against average (2.46) and third in save percentage (.928), boasting an 8-7 record heading into the weekend. 
 
David Stockdale leads his Ravens into the weekend with a 190-107-13 record in his 12^th season behind the bench. FPU currently ranks second in the conference in scoring offense (2.73) and boast one of the nation's eighth-best penalty-killing unit, operating at 87.9%. The Red & White took the first two meetings this season at Martire Family Arena before dropping the last meeting between the two squads in what was a 4-2 win for FPU during the week of Thanksgiving.  
 
WATCH THIS
Posting career-highs in her sophomore season, Jillian Petruno was named to the Women's Hockey Commissioner's Association's Goaltender of the Year Watch List on Friday, January 12. 
 
Petruno joins the list along with 27 other Division I goaltenders including being named as one of three from the New England Women's Hockey Alliance (NEWHA). Alongside Petruno, LIU's Tindra Holm and FPU's Hertl have also been named to the initial "Watch List."
 
The award, created in 2021, recognizes the top female goalie in NCAA Division I hockey. The initial "Watch List" was curated from conference offices while a committee of voters – made up of coaches, administrators, and media – will narrow the list down to ultimately choose a winner who will be announced in March at the NCAA Frozen Four.