The University of Maine women’s ice hockey team played their first home game in front of fans since 2019 on Saturday afternoon, dropping a tough 3-2 decision to Saint Anselm College at Alfond Arena.
Saint Anselm in their season opener of the 2021-22 season didn’t take long to get it going as Erin Meyers scored unassisted just 22 seconds into action. Meyers also added one of the assists later in the first period at 16:56 on a marker by Kelly Golini to make it 2-0 Hawks. Maine (0-3) had plenty of opportunities with five powerplays and a total of 54 shots on net in the game, but had a hard time beating SAC starting goalie Allie Kelley. The Bears broke onto the scoreboard finally at 3:41 of the third period when Ally Johnson scored on helpers by Mira Seregely and Ida Press. Devin Porazinski pushed the Hawks lead back to 3-1 just 1:46 later with a powerplay goal. Ida Kuoppala cut it back to 3-2 with a goal at 8:14 on assists by Ali Beltz and Ella McLean, but Maine couldn’t find the equalizer and are still winless in the early season.
Loryn Porter made 16 saves in the loss for Maine, as the Bears outshot the Hawks 54-19 in the contest. Maine is back in action next Friday and Saturday when they visit Long Island University for a pair of non-conference games.
The University of Maine men’s ice hockey team played for the first time in the new season in an exhibition game against Quinnipiac at Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire Saturday evening. The Bobcats won easily however 7-0.
Maine opens the 2021-22 regular season when they visit Nebraska-Omaha next Friday and Saturday night at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
