STORRS, Conn. - Jocelyn Slattery's (Hugo, Minn.) game-winning goal at the 10 minute mark of the second period lifted the University of Connecticut women's ice hockey team over Maine, 3-1 this afternoon in the Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum. The victory marks the first Hockey East win of the season for the Huskies (2-7-1, 1-2-1), while the Black Bears are now 0-1-0 in the WHEA and 4-5-0 overall.
After a scoreless first period, UConn controlled play during much of the second period ending with a 2-0 lead after 40 minutes of action. Casey Knajdek (Woodbury, Minn.) put the Huskies on the board at the 1:44 mark of the second period as she battled with the Maine defense in front of the net to put the puck past Brittany Ott, who made 17 saves on the day. The goal was Knajdek's first of the season, with the assists going to Sami Evelyn (Nepean, Ont.) and Maude Blain (Magog, Que.).
Slattery posted her second goal of the season at the half way point of the second period after the Maine defense lost the puck in the low slot. Slattery was able to recover the puck and send it over Ott's shoulder into the right corner of the net to give UConn the 2-0 advantage.
Taylor Gross (Colorado Springs, Colo.) extended the Connecticut lead to 3-0 at the 11 minute mark of the third period when she scored on a break away with passes from Rebecca Hewett (Oak Bluff, Man.) and Jennifer Chaisson (Cumberland, Ont.).
Maine's Melissa Gagnon was able to put the Black Bears on the board at the 12:22 mark of the final period as she denied UConn the shutout.
Alexandra Garcia (Pointe-Claire, Que.) recorded 26 saves in net for the Huskies, extending her career save total to 1,165.
UConn returns to action next weekend when the play a home and home series with New Hampshire, beginning on Saturday (Nov. 13) when they play at UNH beginning at 2:00 p.m.