The Maine women’s hockey team played tough against a nationally ranked opponent in their season openers over the weekend, but ultimately dropped both contests to #6 Quinnipiac at Alfond Arena in Orono.
Maine would lose a tough one on Friday night by a score of 2-1. Lily Fetch scored the Black Bears first goal of the season for their only lead of the weekend at 13:26 of the opening period for a 1-0 lead. Ella Johnson got Quinnipiac back even with a powerplay tally at 14:27 of the second, before Alex Law found the back of the net with 4:52 left in regulation to give the Bobcats the win. Gracie Hanson and Mikayla Boarder each picked up an assist for the Black Bears, while Kiia Lahtinen made 29 saves in net. Maine went 0-5 on the powerplay in the defeat.
On Saturday afternoon, Maine kept it tight but Quinnipiac scored twice in the final 20 minutes and left with the sweep in a 4-1 victory. The Bobcats scored twice in the opening period, including the game winner from Aynsley D’Ottavio. Paige Fong cut it to 2-1 for the Black Bears as she tallied 6:29 into the third, but QU put it away on goals from Rosalie Breton and Kahlen Lamarche at 12:19 and 18:23 respectively. Hanson and Boarder both picked up their second point of the series with an assist each. Lahtinen made 28 saves. Maine was unsuccessful again on the powerplay (0-3, 0-8 on the weekend). The Black Bears will stay at home and host St. Lawrence on Thursday and Friday. Game 1 at 6 p.m., while Fridays finale is at 3 p.m.
Photos from UMaine Athletics
