NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. - Kristine Horn (Utica, Mich.) recorded a goal and an assist and Lindsey Minton (Richardson, Texas) made 22 saves to lead the University of New Hampshire women's ice hockey team to Saturday afternoon's 3-2 victory against Niagara University at Dwyer Arena.
UNH, which extended its unbeaten streak vs. Niagara to 20 games (19-0-1) with the weekend sweep of the Purple Eagles, improved to 2-0-0. NU is 0-2-0.
The Wildcats quickly took a 1-0 lead on their first shot of the game at 1:59 of the first period when Horn poked the puck over Niagara goaltender Sarah Moses (18 saves) for her second goal of the series. Hannah Armstrong (Newmarket, Ontario) was credited with an assist.
UNH extended the advantage to 2-0 at 9:41 of the opening stanza when Heather Kashman (Edmonton, Alberta) corralled a rebound in the high slot and wristed a high shot into the net for her second goal in as many games.
Kristina Lavoie (Fonthill, Ontario) lifted a backhander past Moses for a power-play goal at 3:52 of the second period to give the 'Cats a 3-0 lead. Horn and Nicole Gifford (Ennismore, Ontario) set up Lavoie's second goal of the season.
Niagara pulled within 3-1 on Jessica Hitchcock's goal at 17:45 of the middle stanza, then Kelsey Welch netted a power-play goal at 9:13 of the third period to trim the deficit to one goal.
The Wildcats played stifling defense the rest of the way, however, and limited the home squad to one shot spanning the final 10:47. Niagara played a majority of the last four minutes of the game shorthanded, as the Purple Eagles were whistled for minor penalties at 16:08 and 18:48. They pulled Moses with 25 seconds to play and called a timeout with 11 seconds on the clock.
Niagara recorded a 24-21 shot advantage. UNH went 1-for-4 on the power play and the Purple Eagles scored one power-play goal in five opportunities.
New Hampshire begins a three-game homestand next weekend against Colgate University (Oct. 7; 7 p.m.) and Syracuse University (Oct. 8; 5 p.m.).