ORONO, Maine - The University of Maine women's ice hockey team (9-13-4, 3-9-2 Women's Hockey East Association) dropped a 3-1 decision to visiting UConn Huskies (12-13-1, 8-4-1 WHEA) at the Black Bears annual "Skating Strides Against Breast Cancer" game on Saturday afternoon. Brittany Dougherty (Chesterfield, Mich.) notched the lone goal for the Black Bears.
Dougherty's 12th goal of the season got things going for the Black Bears as she cashed in 2:49 into the first period. Ashley Norum (Fairbanks, Alaska) would clear the puck out of the Maine zone, hitting senior Jennie Gallo (Castlegar, British Columbia) with a pass along the right boards. Gallo would carry the puck deep into the Husky zone, sending a pass at the last second across the ice to Dougherty who was streaking through the zone. Dougherty was able to tap the puck into the back of the net to put Maine up 1-0 early.
UConn would answer with just 1:15 remaining in the first period. Jennifer Chaisson skated in on Maine goaltender Brittany Ott (St. Clair Shores, Mich.) and fired a shot that was kicked away by Ott. However, the puck found a trailing Brittany Murphy as she was able to tie things up at one goal each. Taylor Gross also assisted on the play for UConn.
The Huskies would take a 2-1 lead 4:27 into the second period. Kelly Horan collected the puck in the Maine zone and skated in alone on Ott. Horan would use her patience and drag the puck through the slot, back-handing a shot into the net. Jody Sydor was also credited with an assist.
The game would stand at 2-1 into the last minutes of the game when the Black Bears pulled Ott with 1:52 remaining. The Black Bears would once again put the pressure on but Alexandra Garcia would stand firm and after UConn added an empty net goal by Murphy, the Huskies would lock up the 3-1 victory.
The Black Bears outshot UConn 24-22 in the contest as both teams went 0-3 on the power play.
Ott takes the loss for Maine after making 19 stops in net. Her record drops to 7-11-3 on the season. Garcia made 23 stops for UConn and improves to 9-12-1 overall.
Today's game was Maine's annual "Skating Strides Against Breast Cancer" game in which the Black Bears sported special pink jerseys. The jerseys are being auctioned off with all money going towards Breast Cancer Research and Awareness. Members of the Patrick Dempsey Cancer Center were on hand today as some of the money raised will go towards supporting the Dempsey Cancer Center.
The Black Bears return to action next weekend when they travel to battle the University of New Hampshire on Saturday and Sunday. Both games are scheduled for 2 p.m.
