Freshman Morgan Sadler had a game winning powerplay goal, and senior netminder Loryn Porter made 34 saves Friday night as the Maine Black Bears opened their regular season with a 2-1 win over Holy Cross in women’s ice hockey at the Hart Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Maine (1-0, 1-0 Hockey East) scored both their goals in the first period. Ida Kuoppala was able to deflect home a point shot by Ella MacLean at 10:14 to make it 1-0. Sadler was set up beautifully in front of Holy Cross goalie Jana Brenon, and slammed one home in the low slot at 19:43. The Crusaders (0-1, 0-1) had some great looks early in the second, hitting the post twice in the first 5:37 but couldn’t get one past Porter. The hosts did get on the board at 1:18 of the third on a goal from freshman Bryn Saarela, but that is all they could muster as Maine held on for the win.
Liga Milijone, Maclean, Ally Johnson, and Elise Morphy had an assist each in the win. Brenon made 33 saves in the loss for the Crusaders. Maine was 1-2 on the powerplay, while Holy Cross went 0-1. The Black Bears go for the two game weekend sweep Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. in a game that can be seen on NESN Plus. In other season opening play, the Boston College women defeated UNH 6-2 and on the men’s side #7 UMass beat UConn 5-1.
