NEW HAMPSHIRE UPENDS MAINE, 5-2
Brittany Skudder had a goal and two assists for Wildcats

Micaela Long had a goal and an assist for UNH

ORONO, Maine - The University of Maine women's ice hockey team dropped a 5-2 decision to the #4/5 New Hampshire Wildcats on Friday night in Alfond Arena. With the loss, Maine falls to 6-14-5 and 3-9-3-1 in WHE while New Hampshire improves to 14-4-5 and 8-3-2-0 in WHE. The Black Bears were led by Brittany Dougherty (Chesterfield, Mich.) and senior captain Amy Stech (Duluth, Minn.) who each picked up a goal and an assist.

The Black Bears kicked off the game with a bang when Stech netted her third goal of the season just 10 seconds into the first period. The Black Bears would win the draw and quickly advance the puck into the New Hampshire zone. Jessica Bond (Namur, Quebec) skated the puck into the zone and fired a wrist shot that deflected off Wildcat goaltender Kayley Herman. The deflection went off Dougherty and found Stech who slipped a backhand shot into the back of the net to put Maine up 1-0 very early in the contest.

New Hampshire would then battle back and tie the game at 1-1 when Kelly Cahill notched a power play goal at 9:28 into the first period. Brittany Skudder worked the puck around the zone to Courtney Sheary. Sheary then found Cahill who beat Maine goaltender Brittany Ott (St. Clair Shores, Mich.).

The Wildcats would then go on a three to nothing run and push the lead to 4-1 with three second period goals. Micaela Long notched her tenth goal, and the second Wildcat power play goal, when she took advantage of a rebound off a Courtney Birchard shot from the point just fifty seconds into the second period. New Hampshire would stay on the offensive when Skudder notched her fourth goal of the season before Julie Allen put the Wildcats up 4-1 on New Hampshire's third power play goal of the contest. Long picked up her 27th assist on the Wildcats' fourth goal.

Maine would battle back when Dougherty picked up her third goal of the season, and her second point of the game. Stech peppered a couple close shots on Herman before the rebound found its way to Dougherty who deposited the puck into the back of the net to bring Maine with two goals heading into the third period of play.

However, the Wildcats would extend their lead 13:21 into the third period when Kristina Lavoie scored her twelve goal of the season off assists from Skudder and Raylen Dziengelewski. The Black Bears would battle for the final seven minutes but fall short to New Hampshire, 5-2.

The Wildcats outshot Maine 40-21 and converted on three of their seven power play opportunities. Maine was 0-6 on the power play. Ott played well in net for the Black Bears, picking up 35 saves as her record slips to 4-8-3. Herman picks up the win in net for New Hampshire while making 19 saves. Her record improves to 8-2-2.

The Black Bears return to action tomorrow night at 7 p.m. when they host New Hampshire at Alfond Arena in the series finale.