Nov. 28, 2008

Box Score

Fairfield, CT-The Pioneers capitalized on two separate five on three power plays but fell in overtime to the Union Dutchwomen Friday night. Nicole Palazzo (Rocky Hill, CT) and Kate Dunlop (Flesherton, ON) both scored for Sacred Heart in its first home loss of the season. Visiting goaltender Lundy Day stopped 41 shots as Union recorded its first win of the season.

Union (1-13-1) controlled the action throughout the first period as Lauren Cromartie and Lauren Hoffman lit the lamp to give the Dutchwomen a 2-0 lead at the intermission. Gina Arnone (Bridgewater, NJ) had two breakaway chances in the second stanza but was turned away by two fantastic saves by Day.

Sacred Heart (4-7-0) cut the lead in half with ten seconds to play in the second period on Palazzo’s second goal of the season. Union was sent to the penalty box five times in the second period and four times in the last two minutes of the frame. The Pioneers capitalized again on the two man advantage one minute into the third period. Dunlop fired a one timer from the right circle on a feed from Palazzo to knot the game at two.

Sacred Heart dominated early on in the third period and at one point led in shots, 15-1. But the Dutchwomen’s senior goalie stood tall and did not allow a game winner. The momentum shifted and Union outshot the Pioneers 16-2 through the rest of the period. Amanda Nagel (Greenwood, MN) and the SHU defense were able to hold on and get the game into overtime.

The Dutchwomen scored on the first shot on goal of the overtime period as Hoffman beat Nagel for her second tally of the game. The Pioneers outshot Union 43-40 and went 2-12 on the power play in their first overtime game of the season. Sacred Heart will look for redemption in the second game of the weekend series scheduled for tomorrow at 4:00 pm at the Wonderland of Ice in Bridgeport, CT.