FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Kate Helgeson and
Alyssa Antonakis provided the scoring for the Sacred Heart University women's hockey team as the Pioneers dropped a heartbreaker in the third-place match of the 2024 Nutmeg Classic to No. 14 UConn, 4-2.
Helgeson – who entered the afternoon having tallied in consecutive games for the first time in her career – grabbed her fifth goal of the season to open the scoring just over seven minutes into the frame.
With dogged work in the neutral zone by
Grayson Limke, the Pioneers rumbled their way through the Huskies defense. Utilizing a trio of one-touch passes from
Sami Bowlby and Limke, the latter found Helgeson with time in front as the senior stickhandled around UConn's Megan Warrener and deposited a backhand for a 1-0 lead.
SHU's lead was short-lived, however, as UConn went back the other way just under a minute later to level the scoreline 1-1. Both defenses came alive in the latter part of the frame with the Pios and goaltender
Lauren Larson holding the Huskies at bay for the remaining 12 minutes to take a 1-1 tie into the first intermission.
UConn came alive in the second period as the hockey gods became unkind to the Pioneers. Ashley Allard started the scoring in the second period, grabbing her second of the afternoon to give UConn the lead. Minutes later, UConn capitalized as an errant shot deflected off a Pioneer stick in front and past Larson to put the visitors ahead, 3-1. The Huskies grabbed one more in the latter half of the period to grab a 4-1 lead with over two to go in the second period.
Needing some luck of their own, SHU found it with just over a minute to play in the middle frame with
Alyssa Antonakis setting the stage for the possible comeback after potting her fourth of the season. With a failed clearing attempt from UConn,
Peyton Bennetts wired a snapshot from the point that Antonakis tipped out in front and past Warrener to bring the Pios within striking distance.
Looking for the comeback, the Pios played some of their best hockey of the weekend, sending a plethora of chances toward Warrener with seven of them testing the UConn goaltender. SHU had its best chance for the comeback attempt late in the frame, grabbing their lone power play of the afternoon. With SHU threatening and the extra attacker on, the Pios worked to fight back into the game, but could not solve Warrener as the Huskies held strong on the penalty kill and took home the eventual 4-2 win.
Of Note:
- Helgeson's tally is her fifth of the season as she has now collected goals in three-straight games for the first time in her collegiate career.
- Alyssa Antonakis' goal is her fourth of the campaign and first point since scoring in consecutive games against Saint Michael's and Franklin Pierce.
- Grayson Limke's assist is her fist assist of the season and second point during the campaign.
- With an assist, Sami Bowlby is now on a career-long three-game point streak (0-3-3).
Up Next:
The Pioneers are back in action this week on a short turnaround, heading down the I-95 Corridor to take on #9/7 Quinnipiac on Tuesday, December 3 at 11 a.m. More information can be found at sacredheartpioneers.com.
