SHELTON, Conn. — Two special teams goals proved to be the difference maker as the Sacred Heart University women's hockey team dropped its penultimate contest of the 2024 calendar year, falling to the Post Eagles 3-0 on Friday afternoon. 
 
Halfway through the first period, The Pioneers earned a monumental opportunity: a five-minute power play as Post's Julia Wysocki was ejected for an illegal check to the head. With SHU having already gone down 1-0 via a Post power-play tally just past the eight-minute mark of the frame, the Red & White found themselves with a chance to tie the game with the five minute "score at will" advantage. 
 
52 seconds later, a SHU turnover in the neutral zone led to a shorthanded breakaway for the Eagles as they doubled the lead on the ensuing chance for a 2-0 lead with eight to go in the opening frame. 
 
Having played just three days prior, the Pios got back on the wagon in the early part of the first period, funneling a plethora of chances for a 4-1 shots on goal lead within the first five minutes. However, an interference call on Katie Keenan set the Eagles up on the power play with the Eagles sending their second shot on the advantage past SHU goaltender Lauren Larson to open the scoring eight minutes into the contest. 
 
The whistles continued in the first period just three minutes later as Wysocki was shown the gate for the major infraction inflicted upon SHU's Ally Cohen. Though SHU had the advantage in personnel on the ice, Post matched SHU's shot total on the power play with both teams finding one chance a piece with Post's shorthanded dagger proving to be the lone shot that tickled twine. 
 
Down 2-0 after the first, the Pios continued their siege toward Post's Hannah Saunders, who after one period of play had stopped all 13 shots that she faced. Needing to claw back in the game, SHU once again went on the advantage eight minutes into the frame via an interference minor. However, Post continued to stymie the Pios on the power-play, keeping the chances to a premium and escaped without any damage, killing the Pioneer power play and holding the 2-0 lead through 40 minutes. 
 
With SHU needing two goals to level the scoreline, the Red & White came out hot to start the third period. However, Post's first shot on goal made its way past Larson to open up a three-goal lead just 30 seconds into the third period as SHU faced a seemingly insurmountable deficit. With a game-high 20 shots in the frame, SHU had its opportunities in the final period. Unfortunately for the Pios, one of the conference's best power play's went quiet (0-for-3) and gave up its first shorthanded goal of the season while the conference's best penalty kill took a massive hit (1-for-2) as Post grabbed the first of four meetings this season with a 3-0 win. 
 
Of Note:

• SHU's 46 shots on goal were the most in a game for the Pioneers this season. 
• SHU conceded its first shorthanded goal of the season in the Friday affair.  

 
Up Next:
The Pioneers return to Martire Family Arena on Saturday, December 7 to close out the 2024 portion of the schedule in a rematch against Post. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. More information can be found at sacredheartpioneers.com.