PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Senior
Olivia Petito (Jacksonville, Fla.) made a season-best 36 saves in an attempt to slow down #9 Norwich University, but the Cadets eclipsed Plymouth State University, 6-0, in New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) women's ice hockey action at Hanaway Rink on Saturday afternoon.
Plymouth State opened the game with strong zone pressure, but Norwich was able to break through with a pair of goals three minutes apart midway through the period. The visitors added a pair of goals in both the second and third periods to secure the win.
Plymouth State dips to 5-9-1 overall (3-6-0 NEHC), while Norwich, which was ranked #9 in this week's USCHO national poll, improves to 12-4-0 (10-1-0 NEHC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 0, Norwich 6
- Plymouth State (5-9-1, 3-6-0 NEHC)
- Norwich (12-4-0, 10-1-0 NEHC)
How it Happened:
- PSU applied early pressure and was able to skate with the up-tempo Cadets through the first half of the opening period.
- Norwich opened the scoring 12:25 into the frame and doubled the lead just under three minutes later.
- Plymouth State did a phenomenal job on the penalty kill with Petito making three saves and seniors Georgia McLellan (Kamloops, British Columbia) and Kassidy Lyons (Upper Blackville, New Brunswick) and freshman Emily Biggin (Didsbury, Alberta) all coming up with key blocks.
- The Cadets slipped a tight shot between the pipes at the midpoint of the second period, before sneaking in a last-second goal on a deflected shot to make it 4-0 heading into the final period.
- The visitors tacked on a pair of third-period scores to account for the final.
By the Numbers:
- PSU limited Norwich to just eight third-period shots after the Cadets peppered Petito with 34 through the first two frames.
- Neither team was successful on the power play, with PSU going 0-for-2 and Norwich 0-for-1.
- Plymouth State's defense aided Petito with 21 blocked shots. Sophomore Isabella Borbridge (Calgary, Alberta) led the way with four, while freshman Brenna Smith (Medfield, Mass.) adding three. Three other players added two apiece.
- Petito finished with a season-high 36 saves.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State looks to bounce back on Tuesday (Jan. 25) when the Panthers host Castleton University in another NEHC clash. Puck drop at Hanaway Rink is set for 4:00 p.m.
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