TROY, N.Y. - The University of Connecticut women's ice hockey team fell to RPI 5-3 on Saturday afternoon. The Huskies dropped to 0-2-1 overall, while the Engineers improved to 1-0-1. RPI claimed a two-goal lead with first period scores from Missy Mankey and Taylor Mahoney. UConn cut the lead in half in the final minute of the frame on a score by junior defenseman Kiana Nauheim (Fairbanks, Alaska). Senior Casey Knajdek (Woodbury, Minn.) and sophomore Sarah MacDonnell (Quispamsis, Que.) both assisted on the goal.
At the 3:00 mark of the second period, MacDonnell notched her first goal of the season to tie the game at two off of an assist from junior Stephanie Raithby (London, Ont.).
The Engineers regained the lead at the 6:51 mark on a score by Ali Svoboda and pulled away on a second goal goal by Svoboda at 11:22.
In the third, Jordan Smelkey added a power play score for RPI, followed by a shorthanded score by UConn freshman Michela Cava (Thunder Bay, Ont.), with her first career goal.
Junior goaltender Sarah Moses (New Hamburg, Ont.), a transfer from Niagara making her first start, stopped 27 shots in her Husky debut. Kelly O'Brien earned the win for the Engineers in a 16-save effort.
The Huskies are back on the ice next weekend at Colgate, beginning at 7:00 pm on Friday, October 12.