STORRS, Conn. - The University of Connecticut women's ice hockey team poured in a season-high six goals, including four in the fourth period, en route to a 6-3 Hockey East win over New Hampshire at the Freitas Ice Forum on Sunday afternoon. It was the Huskies first win since November 26 and lifted their record to 4-19-7 overall and 3-11-3 in league play, while the Wildcats dropped to 10-17-3 and 4-11-2.
With its first shot of the game, UNH broke a scoreless tie. Freshman Jenna Lascelle brought the puck up the right wing and centered to junior Kristina Lavoie, who buried the shot to the top shelf for her team-leading 12th goal of the season.
In the second period, Lascelle connected with Lavoie for a goal that looked like a carbon copy of the first. This time Lascelle received a pass off the boards from sophomore linemate Nicole Gifford and centered a pass from the red line into the slot of Lavoie's second score of the day.
Despite outshooting UNH and controlling much of the play early on, UConn did not score until the 10:31 mark of the second. Sophomore Jenna Welch (Austin, Texas) was left all alone in the offensive zone and looking to pass the puck. After circling around in search of a teammate she changed course and fired a shot on net that slipped past the goalie for her second goal of the season.
The Huskies tied the game at 2-2 before the close of the second when senior defenseman Sami Evelyn (Nepean, Ont.) blasted a slap shot that was saved. Evelyn then recovered the puck in a scrum in front of the net and backhanded it in for her fifth goal of the year.
Just over three minutes into the third period, the Wildcats regained the lead on a shot by junior defenseman Kristine Horn that was redirected into the net by the stick of classmate Bryanna Farris. Less than five minutes into the period, sophomore Stephanie Raithby (London, Ont.) played the puck from behind the net off of the side of the goal to freshman Rachel Farrel (Cheshire, Conn.) who put it in for her third goal of the season and second of the weekend to tie the game 3-3.
At the 15:21 mark of the third Raithby netted what would hold up to be the game-winning goal. Raithby and junior Kelly Horan (Methuen, Mass.) both put shots on goal from close range. The puck made its way out to junior defenseman Maude Blaine (Magog, Que.) at the point. She ripped a slap shot on goal and Raithby was there for the put back.
Looking to add some insurance freshman Emily Snodgrass (Eagan, Minn.) added her team-leading eight goal of the season. Freshman Kayla Campero (Wallingford, Conn.) intercepted an errant pass at center ice and played it to Snodgrass whose shot rang off the back of the goal as she lit the lamp. Horan would add an empty-netter with 13 seconds left to play.
UConn outshot UNH 34-23 for the game, making it only the fifth game this season that the Huskies have outshot their opponent.
In net for Connecticut, sophomore Nicole Paniccia (Oakville, Ont.) provided 20 saves to earn her fourth win of the season. Senior Lindsey Minton took the loss in a 28-save effort for the Wildcats.
The Huskies return to action on Saturday February 11 against Boston College at 1:00 pm for the team's alumni game that will honor the Hockey East 10th year Anniversary All-Husky Team.