WARD PROPELS MAINE PAST QUINNIPIAC IN OVERTIME, 5-4
Senior forward Danielle Ward scores twice, including game-winner in overtime

Senior forward Danielle Ward scored two goals for the Black Bears

HAMDEN, Conn. -- Danielle Ward (Lansing, Mich.) scored 2:32 into overtime to give the Maine women's ice hockey team a 5-4 victory over Quinnipiac on Saturday afternoon. Maine sweeps the two-game weekend series and improves to 4-0-0 on the season with the victory, the best start in prorgram history. Quinnipiac, ranked ninth in the latest poll, falls to 1-3-0.

Ward's point on the game-winning goal gave her 100 career points.

Quinnipiac jumped out to an early 1-0 lead just 2:56 into the game when Kelly Babstock beat Maine goalie Brittany Ott (St. Clair Shores, Mich.). Brittany Lyons and Nicole Kosta each assisted on the goal.

Maine got the equalizer from Myriam Croussette (Baie-Comeau, Quebec) on the power play at 12:06. Brittany Dougherty (Chesterfield, Mich.) assisted on the goal which tied the game at 1-1.

The Bobcats grabbed the lead back when Kosta scored on the power play just 40 seconds later.

Quinnipiac scored two goals in the first 6:18 of the second period to extend its lead to 4-1. Missy Denk (Poplar Grove, Ill.) notched a power play goal at 16:20 of the second period to pull Maine to within two goals late in the second period. Jennifer More (Deloraine, Manitoba) assisted on the Denk goal.

The Black Bears pulled to within one goal when Ward tallied her fourth goal of the season at 2:24 of the period. The game remained 4-3 until Dougherty tied it with an extra attacker at 19:30. Chloe Tinkler (Wabush, Newfoundland) assisted on the game-tying goal.

Maine wasted little time in overtime, as Ward gave the Black Bears the victory at 2:32 of overtime. It was the third game-winning goal of the season for Ward. Captain Dawn Sullivan (Enfield, Nova Scotia) assisted on the goal for Maine.

The Black Bears finished the game with a 28-24 edge in shots on goal. Each team was 2-for-6 on the power play in the game.

Maine goalie Ott made two saves in 2:56. Kylie Smith (Apple Valley, Minn.) played 59:34 and made 18 saves. She picks up the win and improves to 2-0-0 on the season.

Maine puts its undefeated record on the line when it hosts Bemidji State on Friday, Oct. 14 at Alfond Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 PM.