HOCKEY EAST HEADLINES

The 2021-22 Hockey East women’s season officially began on Friday, as UConn, Merrimack, and Maine began regular season play, while Boston University, Holy Cross, Northeastern, and Vermont skated in exhibition match ups.

UConn swept Long Island University in a pair of home games, 3-1 and 2-0, respectively. Natalie Snodgrass (Eagan, Minn.) netted the game-winning goal on Saturday and fired 13 shots on net in the two games. Rookie goaltender Megan Warrener (Stony Creek, Ont.) kicked out all 20 shots she faced and earned her first collegiate victory and shut out in her NCAA debut.

Maine opened their season with a two-game road set at Quinnipiac, falling 3-2 and 5-1. Celine Tedenby (Örnsköldsvik, Sweden) netted her first goal of the season Friday against Quinnipiac in a 3-2 defeat. She followed up her opening night goal with her second goal of the season in the Saturday finale, where she scored the lone Maine goal, an unassisted breakaway tally, in a 5-1 defeat.

Merrimack dropped a pair of games to Minnesota State at home to begin the 21-22 Warriors’ campaign. Merrimack opened the scoring on Satuday, as rookie Alexa Pongo (Midhurst, Ont.) drove to the net and earned an assist after her initial opportunity was stopped. Warriors’ captain Courtney Maud (Georgetown, Ont.) banged home the rebound for the tally.

The Terriers and Crusaders enjoyed a preseason tune up against each other at Walter Brown Arena in Boston on Saturday, the home team prevailing, 2-0.

HOCKEY EAST PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Natalie Snodgrass - UConn

Natalie Snodgrass (Gr., F; Eagan, Minn.) Scored the game-winner in a 2-0 home victory over Long Island University on Saturday, the Huskies’ first win of the season. The graduate captain recorded 13 shots on net in a two-game sweep of the Sharks.

PRO AMBITIONS ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Alexa Pongo - Merrimack

Alexa Pongo (Fr., F; Midhurst, Ont.) earned the first point of her collegiate career on Saturday, just her second game in a Warriors’ sweater. The firstyear forward kick started the Merrimack office against Minnesota State, driving to the net to create a scoring opportunity that lead to the game’s first tally.

HOCKEY EAST DEFENDER OF THE WEEK

Chloe Gonsalves - UConn

Chloe Gonsalves (Gr., D; Toronto, Ont.) picked up an assist in a 2-0 win over Long Island University on Saturday to power her new squad to a weekend sweep of the Sharks. The blueliner tallied three shots on net and contributed to her team’s defensive effort with four blocked shots.

HOCKEY EAST GOALTENDER OF THE WEEK

Megan Warrener - UConn

Megan Warrener (Fr., G; Stony Creek, Ont.) made her collegiate debut on Saturday in Storrs, facing off against Long Island University. The rookie netminder shined, making 20 saves in a 2-0 win to earn her first career win and shutout with the Huskies.

HOCKEY EAST TOP PERFORMERS

Celine Tedenby, Maine (Sr., F; Örnsköldsvik, Sweden) Tedenby netted her first goal of the season Friday against Quinnipiac in a 3-2 defeat. She followed up her opening night goal with her second goal of the season in the Saturday finale, where she scored the lone Maine goal, an unassisted breakaway tally, in a 5-1 defeat.