Rae Scores Twice to Send Merrimack Past UConn, 2-1
Junior forward Katelyn Rae scores two goals for Warriors

Junior forward Katelyn Rae scored two goals for the Warriors
Prd Time  Team Score Type Scored By Assists
1st 7:21  MER1-0 EV Katelyn Rae (9)Mikyla Grant-Mentis/4, Madison Morey/3
3rd 6:46  CON1-1 PP Justine Fredette (5)Jaime Fox/6, Kayla Mee/8
3rd 15:01  MER2-1 PP GW Katelyn Rae (10)Jessica Bonfe/2, Felila Manu/7
Scoring 1st 2nd 3rd Final
UConn  0011
Merrimack  1012
Shots on Goal 1st 2nd 3rd SOG
UConn  791733
Merrimack  86721
Team Stats and Records  PP PIM SHGF
UConn (5-8-7)  1/4 4/8 0
Merrimack (7-13-3)  1/4 4/8 0
UConn Goaltending MIN GA 1 2 3 Saves
Annie Belanger (L, 4-6-4)58:442 76619
Empty Net1:160     
Merrimack Goaltending MIN GA 1 2 3 Saves
Samantha Ridgewell (W, 4-8-1)60:001 791632

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. - The Merrimack College women's ice hockey team picked up an important Hockey East victory Friday night from Lawler, defeating Connecticut, 2-1. Junior Katelyn Rae (Courtice, Ontario) scored both goals for the Warriors.

The Basics

Score: Merrimack 2, UConn 1 | Final
Records: Merrimack (7-13-3, 2-9-2 WHEA) // University of Connecticut (5-8-7, 0-7-4 WHEA)
Location: Lawler Rink | North Andover, Mass.

Rapid Recap:

- The Huskies held possession early in the first, but it was the Warriors who struck at 7:21 of the opening period. Rae extended her point streak to five games. There were three penalties in the first, but without a power play goal. The Huskies had a slim 8-7 edge in shots in the first period.

- Both teams had some chances in the second. The Huskies had a shot by Nora MaClaine hit the pipe and cross the crease, but it bounced to the corner. The Warriors killed off a pair of back-to-back penalties and went into the second intermission with a one-goal lead.

- An early power play chance for the Huskies proved to be costly for Merrimack. Connecticut tied the game at 6:46 of the third.

- However, the Warriors were given a power play opportunity of their own, capitalizing on Rae's second goal of the game at 15:01 of the final stanza. Junior goalie Samantha Ridgewell (Outlook, Saskatchewan) made 16 of her 32 saves in the third period alone.

Scoring Summaries

- After Connecticut iced the puck, forcing an offensive faceoff for Merrimack, junior Madison Morey (Fairbanks, Alaska) took the draw back to sophomore Mikyla Grant-Mentis (Brampton, Ontario). Annie Belanger saved her shot from the right circle, but Rae was there for the rebound near the post. Her first shot was stopped, but she scooped up the rebound and lifted it over the stick of Belanger.

- The Huskies tied things up at 6:46 of the third on a power play goal. Kayla Mee sent a pass to Jaime Fox at the top of the point, who one-timed a blast towards the net. The puck found the stick of Justine Fredette to even the game.

- Rae gave the Warriors a 2-1 lead at 15:01 of the third. Junior Felila Manu (Anchorage, Alaska) fed a pass to classmate Jessica Bonfe (Woodbury, Minn.) along the boards. She fired on net and Rae was there again for the rebound, sneaking the puck inside the post for the eventual game-winner.

Notes and Notables

- Grant-Mentis has registered a point in the last six games (5g, 2a). Rae has a five-game point streak with five goals and an assist in the last five contests.

- It was the sixth time this season Ridgewell had 30 or more saves in a game.

- After going nearly two months without a power play goal, Merrimack has scored one in each of the past two games.

- It was the second conference win of the season and first coming from Lawler Rink for the Warriors. The last Hockey East victory coming at Lawler was against Maine on Feb. 3, 2017.

- Goaltenders: W- Samantha Ridgewell (32 Saves, 4-8-1) // L- Annie Belanger (19 Saves, 4-6-4)

- Power Plays: Merrimack (1-4) | UConn (1-3)

- SOG (MC-Conn): 7-8 | 9-6 | 7-17 | 21-33

Up Next

The Warriors will wrap up the season series against New Hampshire on Wednesday, Jan. 10 for a 7 p.m. puck drop at Lawler Rink.