Feb. 21, 2007

Setting the Scene... The Pioneer women's ice hockey team closes out its season this weekend at the ECAC Open Tournament at St. Michael's College. SHU will face Holy Cross in the semifinals Saturday night at 6:00 pm after St. Michael's plays Saint Anselm in the first game. The winners will meet in the championship game Sunday afternoon.

Last Time Out... Freshman Britanny Rosselle scored two goals and sophomore Gina Arnone added a goal and three assists as Sacred Heart beat Rhode Island, 9-1, on Senior Day Saturday afternoon at the Wonderland of Ice.

Last Year's Tournament... The Pioneers are the defending ECAC Open Tournament Champions, having beaten St. Michael's and Saint Anselm in last year's tournament. Stephanie Boulay earned MVP Honors and Michelle Panella and Gina Arnone were each named to the All-Tournament team.

SHU Leaders... Sophomore Gina Arnone leads the Pioneers offense for the season with 24 goals and 20 assists, for a total of 44 points. Those are team high stats in each category. Senior Michelle Panella is second with 22 goals and 14 assists for 36 points on the year. Junior Devon Gaslin leads the Pioneer defense core with 22 points, five goals and 17 assists.

Last Time vs Holy Cross... Senior Michelle Panella had two goals and an assist and five different Pioneers scored goals as Sacred Heart posted a 6-4 win over Holy Cross in women's ice hockey action earlier this month at the Hart Center.

Scouting the Crusaders... Robert Morris makes the trip from Pittsburgh with a 9-15-2 record, following a pair of home losses to CHA rival Wayne State last weekend in Pittsburgh. The Colonial attack is led by three sophomores with 20 points each. Kristin Miles has scored a team leading 14 goals and added six assists, Megan Picnic has 10 goals and a team high 10 assists, and Alissa Dorman has 12 goals and 8 helpers on the year. In goal, sophomore Brianne McLaughlin has posted a 3.00 goals against average with a .915 save percentage in 18 games this year.

Last Time vs Saint Anselm... Kathleen Twomey scored two goals as Saint Anselm shutout Sacred Heart, 4-0, in women's ice hockey action earlier this season. The loss snapped the Pioneers three game unbeaten streak.

Scouting the Hawks... Saint Anselm is having a strong year, with a 22-3 record. Sophomore Kathleen Twomey and freshman Arianna Rigano lead the Hawks attack this season. Twomey has a team-leading 38 points, including 23 goals and 15 assists. Rigano has scored a team-high 25 goals, along with eight assists. Junior Andrea Berlin has a 1.24 goals against average for the season in 15 games between the pipes.

Last Time vs St. Michaels... Freshman Gina Arnone had a hat trick and two assists and Sacred Heart scored six goals in the third period to blow away St. Michael's, 12-0 in the semifinals of the ECAC women's ice hockey Open Tournament in Worcester, MA last year.

Scouting the Purple Knights... Saint Michael's has struggled this year, playing to a 4-20 record and having lost their last 17 games. The Knights attack is led by freshman Meghan Sweeney who has nine goals and seven assists for 17 points. Senior Melissa Gagne has eight goals and eight assists for 16 points on the year. In goal, sophomore Kristen Salierno has been the best performer, with a 3.42 goals against average in 10 games.