PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Junior
Amelia Julian (Apple Valley, Minn.) finished with 22 saves, but the University of Southern Maine held down Plymouth State University, 3-0, in a New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) women's ice hockey game at Hanaway Rink on Friday night.
The visitors maneuvered their way past the PSU defense for the opening score midway through the first period to take the early lead. Junior
Isabella Borbridge (Calgary, Alberta) had a pair of potential chances to tie the score, but the Huskies held strong and ultimately punched in two more tallies to take the 3-0 victory.
Plymouth State slips to 3-17-0 and 2-11-0 in the NEHC, while Southern Maine goes to 10-10-0 and 8-5-0 in conference play.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 0, Southern Maine 3
- Plymouth State (3-17-0, 2-11-0 NEHC)
- Southern Maine (10-10-0, 8-5-0 NEHC)
How it Happened:
- Freshman Katie Porrello (Milford, Conn.) had a scoring chance in the opening minutes when she came in on a one-on-one situation but her shot missed just wide.
- The Huskies took the lead midway through the first period to make it 1-0.
- Julian secured the Panthers' first penalty kill with assistance from senior Meghan Hamilton (Walpole, Mass.) and junior Lauren McNeil (Ottawa, Ontario) with three blocked shots.
- Borbridge took advantage of a power play opportunity in the second frame with back-to-back shots in an effort to tie the game, but the opposing goalkeeper held strong to stave off her assault.
- Southern Maine extended its lead to close out the second with a 2-0 lead, and the visitors secured the win with an insurance goal in the final period to account for the 3-0 score.
By the Numbers:
- Julian made 22 saves, marking her 15th game with 20-plus saves.
- Neither team could convert on the power play, as the Huskies finished 0-for-1 and PSU was 0-for-4.
- Plymouth State blocked 12 shots, with McNeil leading the way with three and Borbridge and junior Mia Zaniboni (Braintree, Mass.) adding a pair each.
- The teams have been closely matched over the last several years, with Southern Maine holding a 7-6-1 edge since the 2015-16 season.
Up Next:
- The Panthers are back in Hanaway Rink for NEHC action tomorrow (Jan. 28) against Salem State at 2:00 p.m.
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