Fairfield, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University women's ice hockey team fell in game two of its weekend series against LIU, 4–2, on Saturday. After the Pioneers claimed the opener on Friday at LIU before the Sharks returned the favor to split the series.
Records:
Sacred Heart: (5-8-0, 4-7-0 NEWHA)
LIU: (5-8-1, 3-8-1 NEWHA)
Top Performers:
Ella Holm: 1 goal
Olivia LaRoche: 1 goal
Reese Pascucci: 1 assist
Hailey Jussila: 1 assist
Bria Holm: 1 assist
Alyssa Antonakis: 1 assist
Goaltending:
Sacred Heart:
Jillian Petruno: (L 5-5-0) 3 goals against | 14 saves |
Mia Wendell: 1 goal against | 14 saves
LIU: Ida Huber: 2 goals against | 35 saves
How it Happened:
- Period one showed multiple chances on both sides, with the Sharks firing 10 shots and the Pioneers putting up 12. Alyssa Antonakis nearly broke the scoreless tie when she slapped a shot off the post, marking Sacred Heart's best look of the period. However, with just under a minute left, LIU capitalized on a late chance to take a 1–0 lead into the first intermission.
- Period two saw an offensive surge, with five total goals scored between both teams. LIU opened the frame with a power-play goal seven minutes in, then added another just two minutes later to take a commanding 3–0 lead. One minute after that, the Pioneers answered as Ella Holm buried a power-play goal to cut the deficit to two. The Sharks quickly responded six minutes later to restore a three-goal cushion, but Sacred Heart kept fighting. This time, LaRoche found the back of the net off a setup from Ella Holm and Jussila, making it a 4–2 game heading into the third.
- In the third period, the Pioneers pushed hard to mount a comeback. They controlled much of the play, outshooting the Sharks 13–8 and generating several quality chances. Despite their pressure, Sacred Heart couldn't break through for another goal, and the game closed with a 4–2 final.
Of Note:
- LIU narrowly won the faceoff battle 30-28
- Sacred Heart outshot the LIU 37-32
- Pascucci recorded her first assist of her career
Up Next:
- The Pioneers will be back in action next weekend as they compete in the Nutmeg Classic. Game one will be on Friday, November 28, as the Pioneers take on Yale at 6:30 pm.
