STORRS, Conn. - The University of Connecticut women's hockey team fell in Storrs to No. 7 Northeastern, 5-2, at the Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum on Friday night. Reigning Hockey East Rookie of the Year Kendall Coyne notched two goals and an assist to lead Northeastern.
With the loss, UConn drops to 2-7-1 (1-2-0 WHEA) while Northeastern improves to 6-1-1 (2-1-0 WHEA).
UConn had goals from Kelly Horan and Leah Burress, her first, and saw freshman netminder Elaine Chuli record 35 saves. Northeastern's Chloe Desjardins stopped 18 shots to earn the victory.
Connecticut evened at 1-1 in the second and cut it to 3-2 in the third period but allowed the final two goals to close out the scoring.
Connecticut had the game's first two chances in the opening two minutes with shots from Stephanie Raithby and Emily Snodgrass but it was all Northeastern the remaining 18 minutes. NU outshot Connecticut in the first, 14-2, including a shot off the left post by Kendall Coyne at 16:20.
Northeastern's Rachel Llanes put home the opening goal from right in front at 6:21 of the second period. Llanes finished a rebound off a shot by Kendall Coyne that was saved by Chuli.
The Huskies equalized at 12:05 with Horan's second goal of the season. Caitlin Hewes fired a shot from the right point that was tipped in front by Horan. Kiana Nauheim also assisted on the play.
Northeastern struck on the power play to go back on top with Coyne's 10th goal of the season at 16:11. Coyne skated through the UConn zone and lifted a shot into the top right corner from outside the crease on the right side.
NU made it a two-goal advantage just 42 seconds later when Paige Savage notched her second of the season from just outside the crease.
After two periods, Northeastern held a 28-12 edge in shots.
Connecticut scored first in the third at 2:30 to cut it the deficit to 3-2. Leah Buress scored from the slot, her first of the season, with an assist going to Margaret Zimmerman.
The Huskies pressured in the final 17:30 but Northeastern held off the attack and added two insurance tallies to close it out.
The two teams will face off again tomorrow at Northeastern at 3 p.m.