FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Isabella Chaput's third period power-play tally gave the Sacred Heart University women's hockey team enough cushion to ride out a series split against LIU, taking down the Sharks with a 1-0 decision on Saturday afternoon.
With both teams looking to make a statement after the previous night ended in a five-goal affair, SHU and LIU took the mantra of "defense wins championships," ushering in a tightly contested affair through 40 minutes of action.
In a scoreless first period, the Pios did well to withstand a barrage from the visitors, with the latter pumping 10 shots on goal toward SHU netminder
Jillian Petruno who was equal to the task on every occasion. On the other end, SHU found opportunities to be a premium in the Sharks end, ushering four shots toward LIU's Abbie Thompson that the goaltender had no issues dealing with.
The Pios flipped the script in the second period, finding a few opportunities of their own to get the difference-maker with 10 efforts toward Thompson. However, the Sharks netminder kept the Pios off the board with a 14-save outing through 40 minutes. On the other end, Petruno, who made her first start since appearing in the series opener against Saint Anselm (Oct. 11), kept the Sharks at bay in the second with five saves for a 15-save shutout through two periods.
In a decisive third period, it was the Pios who rode the fresh legs as the hosts, keeping LIU at bay while funneling a plethora of high-percentage shots toward Thompson in the early going of the period. Thanks to the Pios' doggedness in the offensive zone, SHU found themselves on the power play with under seven minutes to go in the period.
On the job, the Pios funneled the puck along the near boards as
Anastasia Sloan and
Ella Holm provided enough confusion to allow Holm to send in a low wrister that was deflected in front by
Ally Cohen in on Thompson. Though the initial tip was saved,
Isabella Chaput was there on the doorstep to send home a loose puck in the crease to give SHU a 1-0 lead with 6:34 remaining. However, LIU managed to make things interesting with a challenge for goaltender interference that kept the SHU bench in limbo. It was all for naught, though, as the call on the ice stood and the goal horn sounded to confirm the 1-0 lead.
With under five to go, the Pios hunkered down defensively with LIU searching for the equalizer. With time winding down, it was one way traffic in the direction of Petruno as LIU sent multiple high-octane chances that the goalkeeper sent away from the goal including stymying last-night's hero Carrigan Umpherville in the final moments as the Pios grabbed the full three points and a series split with the 1-0 win.
Top Performers:
Of Note:
- With a shutout in the game, SHU has now registered a shutout in three-consecutive series' with all three coming in game two of the series.
- Jillian Petruno's 30-save shutout is her first shutout of the season and sixth of her career. It is her first shutout since posting an 18-save blanking of Post on February 16, 2024.
- With a goal, Isabella Chaput leads the Pios with four goals this season and leads the team in points (7) as she extends her point-streak to a career-long four games.
- Chaput's power-play tally is her second power-play goal of the season and first game-winning goal during the campaign.
- With an assist, Ella Holm extends her point-streak to six games which continues her career-long scoring stretch.
- Ally Cohen's assist is her first point since earning a helper in the series opener against Stonehill. The first year forward now has three assists and four points which is good for fourth on the team.
Up Next:
The Pioneers are back in action next weekend, traveling to Assumption on Friday, November 8 before hosting the Greyhounds on November 9. Puck drop from Worcester Ice Center in Worcester, Mass. on Friday is slated for 8 p.m. while Saturday's game at Martire Family Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. More information can be found at sacredheartpioneers.com.
