BOX SCORE
Aston, Pa. - Neumann College (6-7) defeated NCAA Division I opponent, Sacred Heart University (2-14), 5-4, at the Ice Works Quad Rinks in women's ice hockey action this evening.
The Neumann Knights opened the scoring with a Kristen Gauthier shot through the 5-hole after the Knights' offense blocked a Pioneers clear attempt. That block allowed Mary Zupan to gain control of the puck and send a smooth pass to Gauthier, who scored the first goal of the night, for the 1-0 lead.
The Pioneers answered 13-minutes later after the Knights' starting goaltender Teresa White struggled to get a glove on a rebound shot that landed just out of her reach. SHU's Gina Arnone took advantage of the situation and evened the score for the Pioneers, sending both teams into the first intermission tied at one.
Sacred Heart came out strong in the second period taking a one goal lead on the Knights. The Pioneers scored 12-minutes into the period when Allie Gillman managed to get the puck past White, who had turned away two previous attempts by the Pioneers offense, for the 2-1 lead. Neumann answered with a short handed goal by Samantha May on a breakaway at 14:05. With the second period winding down both teams battled for the edge and with 19:19 on the clock Sacred Heart's Michelle Panella found an opening which allowed the Pioneers to take a 3-2 second period advantage over the Knights.
In the third period SHU's Arnorne scored her second of the night, at the 2:58 mark, giving the Pioneers a little breathing room. However, Neumann had no thoughts of letting them rest. In the final 17-minutes of play the Knights scored three consecutive third period goals and shut down the Pioneers' offense in route to a 5-4 final. Carly Fitzsimmons scored twice for the Knights in the 17-minute span. Her first goal came at 3:28 and her second, which proved to be the eventual game tying goal, was scored at 8:17 on a Knights power-play.
With the score tied at 4 Neumann's Holly Williams and Samantha May teamed up to give Neumann their 6th win of the season in the 15th minute of play. Williams took control of the puck after it hit the post on a Samantha May wrist shot. Williams then sent the puck back to May, giving her and the Knights a second chance to end the first game of this two-game midweek series on top.
Starting Goaltender Teresa White stopped 28 shots in net while Sacred Heart's Stephanie Boulay had 34 saves in the loss.
Neumann and Sacred Heart will return to action tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.
