ORONO, Maine-- The University of Maine women's ice hockey team dropped a 7-2 decision to UConn on Sunday afternoon at Alfond Arena in Orono. The Black Bears scored the first goal of the game to take a 1-0, before the Huskies were able to score five straight to build a 5-1 lead. Maine falls to 2-8-2 on the season and 0-4-2-1 in Hockey East play. UConn improves to 5-4-2 on the season and 1-2-2-0 in Hockey East play.
Maine struck first with a power play goal by Melissa Gagnon (St. Gilles, Quebec). Maine goalie Brittany Ott (St. Clair Shores, Mich.) started the play with a long pass up the ice to Gagnon, who skated to the goal line. Gagnon fired the puck at UConn goalie Alexandra Garcia. The puck deflected off Garcia and into the back of the net at 6:13, giving Maine the early 1-0 lead. For Gagnon, it was her first goal of the season.
UConn then scored three goals in the span of 1:43 midway through the second period, including two short handed goals, to take a 3-1 lead. Jessica Lutz began the scoring for the Huskies when she shot the puck at Ott, who saw the puck trickle into the goal to tie the game at 1-1 at 8:56. Jody Sydor and Monique Weber each assisted on the play. Jennifer Chaisson gave the Huskies their first lead of the game at 8:50 she scored a short handed goal. Jessica Lutz and Cristin Allen both assisted.
UConn extended its lead to 3-1 at 10:39 when Michelle Binning down the left wing alone and beat Ott for her fifth goal of the season. Allen picked up her second assist of the period on the goal.
The Huskies added their third shot handed goal of the game when Weber scored an unassisted goal at 2:12 of the third period. UConn pushed its lead to 5-1 at 8:08 when Chaisson scored her second goal of the game off a scramble in front of the crease. UConn had several shots, before Chaisson was able to beat Ott.
Maine's Lexie Hoffmeyer (Grand Blanc, Mich.) scored her second goal of the season at 16:37 of the third period. She stole the puck on the far blue line and skated in on a 2-on-0 breakaway. Hoffmeyer beat Garcia with a shot that went over her glove hand.
The Huskies capped the scoring with a pair of goals in the final minute. Lisa Stathopulos scored her fourth goal of the season at 19:09 and Kelly Horan added her first goal under 30 seconds later.
Maine goalie Ott made 33 saves in the game. She falls to 1-4-1 on the season. Garcia stopped 29 shots in goal for the Huskies to improve to 3-3-2 on the season.
The Black Bears return to action on Saturday, Nov. 14 when they travel to Northeastern to face the Huskies at 2 pm. UConn next hits the ice when it hosts Boston College on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 1 pm.