Fairfield, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University women's ice hockey team completed a thrilling comeback, earning a shootout victory over the Skyhawks in game two of a New England Women's Hockey Alliance (NEWHA) matchup.
 
Records:
Sacred Heart: (5-17-2, 4-12-2 NEWHA) 
Stonehill: (11-11-2, 11-5-2 NEWHA)
 
Top Performers:
Peyton Bennetts: 1 goal 
Hailey Jussila: 1 goal
Ella Holm: 1 assist
Campbell Heger: shootout goal
Grayson Limke: 6 shots, all on goal
 
Goaltending:
Sacred Heart: Jillian Petruno: (T, 5-9-1) 2 goals against | 47 saves 
Stonehill: Eve Stone: (T, 4-6-2) 2 goals against | 35 saves
 
How it Happened:

• The Pioneers came up short in the first period, allowing one goal for the Skyhawks and trailing in shots. Petruno made 12 saves to keep Sacred Heart within reach, while the Pioneers controlled the faceoff circle 12–9 and looked to build momentum heading into the second period.
• The second period was a defensive battle between the Pioneers and the Skyhawks. Sacred Heart recorded 20 shots while Stonehill had 29, but neither team found the back of the net. Sacred Heart led faceoffs 27–20 and blocked 12 shots, keeping the score 1–0 at the end of the period.
• The third period opened with Bennetts tying the game at 1–1 on a goal assisted by Ella Holm. Shortly after, Stonehill answered with a goal of their own to take a 2–1 lead with just over six minutes remaining. At exactly the 4:00 mark, Jussila knocked in an unassisted goal to even the score at 2–2, sending the game into overtime.
• In overtime, the Pioneers came out firing, controlling possession for most of the frame and outshooting the Skyhawks 9–3. Norah Morris nearly ended it, ringing a shot off the post, but the game ultimately headed to a shootout.
• Each team had three shootout attempts, with Petruno stopping two shots before it was Heger's turn. In a one-on-one against Stone, Heger buried the puck to give Sacred Heart the advantage. Petruno then sealed the win by blocking the final shot.

 
Of Note:

• Bennetts scored her third goal of the season and her second in two games
• Jussila scored her third goal of the season
• Ella Holm tallied her sixth assist of the year
• The Skyhawks outshot the Pioneers 49-37
• Sacred Heart dominated the faceoff battle 43-29

 
Up Next:
The Pioneers will return to action next weekend as they host the No. 1 team in the NEWHA, Saint Anselm, on Friday, January 23, and Saturday, January 24. Puck drop is set for 5:00 p.m. on Friday and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.