BOSTON - Skylar Irving chipped in two goals and one assist to lead the No. 14 and second-seeded Northeastern women's hockey team to a 4-1 Hockey East Quarterfinal victory over the ninth-seeded Merrimack Warriors on Saturday night in Matthews Arena. With the win, the Huskies advance to host New Hampshire in a Hockey East Semifinal matchup on Wednesday, March 6.
Eight Huskies got on the score sheet, with Irving, fifth year Katy Knoll and graduate student Megan Carter all recording multi-point efforts.
- A scoreless first period gave way to a three-goal second frame. Merrimack opened the scoring 1:29 into the second with a goal from Alex Ferguson.
- Irving tied the game at 1-1 for the Huskies at the 5:43 mark of the second, taking the puck all by herself down the lefthand side of the ice and beating Calli Hogarth. Irving's tally was assisted by Carter and senior Lily Yovetich. Knoll gave the Huskies a 2-1 lead with her goal at the 10:56 mark. Knoll's goal was assisted by Irving and Carter.
- In the third period with just 4:56 remaining in the game, freshman Ella Blackmore pushed the Husky lead to 3-1 with her fifth tally of the year. She had helpers from her linemates sophomore Lily Shannon and sophomore Holly Abela. Irving then iced the game with an empty net goal to bring the final score to 4-1. Irving had assists on her second goal from Knoll and junior Tory Mariano.
- Fifth year netminder Gwyneth Philips finished her day with 21 saves in her 22nd win of the year.
Northeastern will host UNH on Wednesday, March 6 in Matthews Arena in the Hockey East Semifinals, time of puck drop will be announced in the coming days.
