Oct. 17, 2008

Box Score

Fairfield, CT -

The women’s hockey team walked into Orono having never defeated the University of Maine. Sacred Heart changed that with a stunning 3-2 victory Friday night. Nicole Palazzo (Rocky Hill, CT) scored her second consecutive game winning goal in the third period. Amanda Nagel (Greenwood, MN) tallied 42 saves propelling the Pioneers to the biggest win in the program’s history.

Maine (1-4-0) opened the scoring in the first period with a power play goal. SHU (1-1-0) evened the game four minutes later on a tally by the team’s only junior, Kate Dunlop (Flesherton, Ontario). Maine jumped ahead again in the second period as Abby Barton found the net for the Black Bears. Sophomore Lauren Fontaine (Windsor, Ontario) notched the game tying goal on the power play with 2:52 to play in the second period.

The Pioneers struck again with 13:45 to play on a Pioneer power play as Palazzo lit the lamp with what would turn out to be the game winner. Nagel made 16 saves in the final stanza as Sacred Heart protected their one goal lead late in the game. The Black Bears pulled their goalie with 1:10 to play but could not find the equalizer.

Sacred Heart was outshot 44-22 in the win but converted on 2 of 9 power play opportunities. The Pioneers will have little time to celebrate the huge win as game two of the weekend series takes place Saturday at 2pm.