(Box Score)  (Game Photos)

         SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. - The Saint Michael's College women's ice hockey team was reigned champions of the fifth annual Saint Michael's Holiday Classic Sunday after defeating Plymouth State University, 4-1, at Cairns Arena's upper rink.

         It is the first time in program history that the Purple Knights have won their own tournament. Earlier in the afternoon, Chatham University and Colby College went head-to-head in what eventually ended as a 3-3 overtime decision. Saint Michael's went 2-0 in the tournament, while Chatham was 1-0-1, Colby finished 0-1-1 and PSU was 0-2.

         Sophomore Brianna Davis (Framingham, Mass.), making her first appearance of the season after missing time with an injury, scored for PSU to break a three-game scoreless streak for the team, and freshman Jackie Collins (Dedham, Mass.) provided a highlight for the Panthers with her selection to the All-Tournament Team.

         SMC had a slim 16-13 advantage in shots in the first period and held a 1-0 lead on a goal by freshman Allison Graf (Long Lake, Minn.). Senior Crystal Sarno (Stoneham, Mass.) and sophomore Kelly McDonald (South Burlington, Vt.) tallied back-to-back goals for the Purple Knights midway through the second period to make it 3-0.  Davis put the Panthers on the board at the 18:19 mark, with assists from Collins and sophomore Tina Worley (Anchorage, Alaska) but Meghan Sweezey (Lynnfield, Mass.) answered for SMC at 19:27 of the second period to stop any Panther momentum.

         That ended up as all the scoring as the Purple Knights outshot the Panthers 21-5 in the final frame but couldn't put one in the goal.  PSU sophomore Nichole Provencher (Guilford, Conn.) stopped all 21 shots in the third period and finished with 51 for the game, her second 50-save effort of the season.

         Plymouth State returns home to host the University of Southern Maine next Friday, Jan. 8, in an ECAC East Conference game at Waterville Valley Arena (6:00 p.m.) 

Fifth Annual Saint Michael's College Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team:

*Crystal Sarno, Senior, Forward, Saint Michael's College

Allison Graf, Freshman, Defender, Saint Michael's College

Dawson Bancroft-Short, Sophomore, Forward, Chatham University

Leah McNaughton, Sophomore, Forward, Chatham University

Jackie Collins, Freshman, Forward, Plymouth State University

Kaitlyn Conway, Senior, Forward, Colby College

*denotes Tournament Most Valuable Player

 (Courtesy of Saint Michael's Sports Information) 

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