NEW HAMPSHIRE DOWNED BY HARVARD, 3-1

Sophomore forward Kristina Lavoie scored a goal for the Wildcats

DURHAM, N.H. -- Junior goaltender Lindsey Minton (Richardson, Texas) stopped 29 shots including 14 in the second period, but the University of New Hampshire women's ice hockey team fell to Harvard University, 3-1, in non-conference action at Whittemore Center on Thursday evening.

UNH falls to 8-10-0 overall, while Harvard improves to 5-5-2 overall.

With the scored tied 1-1 after one period, the Crimson took control of play with a pair of four-on-four goals by Lyndsey Fry in the second period. Harvard's first tally came at 7:21 of the period as Fry gained control of the puck at the defensive blue line off a stick-check by Marissa Gedman and skated the length of the ice. Fry's first effort was stopped, but her follow up snuck under the pads of Minton for the eventual game-winner. Harvard took a two-goal lead as Fry knocked down the rebound of a Jillian Dempsey shot into an open wide side of the net at 17:51 of the period to make it 3-1. Harvard held a commanding 16-3 shot edge in the period.

In an even-played first period, it was UNH getting the first goal as Kristina Lavoie (Fonthill, Ontario) scored on a one-on-none breakaway setup by a nice transition pass from Kristine Horn (Utica, Mich.) at 9:10 of the frame. Lavoie made a nifty deke move to register her sixth goal of the season. The Crimson responded with the equalizer at 16:16 of the first with a power play goal on a one-timer from Josephine Pucci just inside the blue line. Leanna Coskren and Kate Buesser helped setup the tally. The Crimson held a slim 8-7 shot advantage thanks in part to three power play opportunities.

The Crimson held an 8-2 shot advantage in a scoreless third period.

Harvard was 1-for-7 on the power play, while UNH was 0-2 in its extra-skater opportunities. The Crimson also held a 32-14 shot edge on the night.

Minton falls to 6-7-0 on the season, while Harvard netminder Laura Bellamy stopped 13-of-14 shots to improve to 4-4-1 on the season.

New Hampshire returns to action at home Dec. 11 (2 p.m.) vs. intrastate rival Dartmouth College. Tickets to the Dartmouth game and all UNH home games are available online at UNHWildcats.com.