SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - University of Connecticut women's ice hockey senior Brittany Murphy (Tewksbury, Mass.) recorded her third goal of the season in the 14th minute of the first period to lift the Huskies over Union, 1-0 this evening in Messa Rink. With the win the Huskies are now 7-10-1 on the season and 4-4-1 in Hockey East play going into the Holiday break.
Murphy put the Huskies on the board at the 13:08 mark of the first period when Alexandra Vakos (Hamden, Conn.) and Maude Blain (Magog, Que.) found her with an open shot at the net. The assist was the fifth on the season for both Vakos and Blain.
Murphy's first period goal would prove to be the game-winner, as both the UConn and Union offenses were not able to get the puck past either goaltenders for the remainder of the game.
Nicole Paniccia (Oakville, Ont.) recorded her second shutout of the season, posting 18 saves for the Huskies during the contest. UConn held a 38-18 advantage in shots during the game, including a high of 14 during the opening period.
Sami Evelyn (Nepean, Ont.) and Kelly Horan (Methuen, Mass.) led the Huskies with six shots on the night while Jocelyn Slattery (Hugo, Minn.), Jody Sydor (St. Albert, Alta.) and Taylor Gross (Colorado Springs, Colo.) each posted four.
The Huskies will now have a break from competition until after the New Year. UConn will travel to Dartmouth for a two-game series on January 1 and 2 to open up 2011.