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Freshman forward Ida Kuoppala scored both goals for the Black Bears
Two Kuoppala Goals Send Maine Past Merrimack, 2-1
Freshman forward Ida Kuoppala scored both goals for the Black Bears

ORONO, Maine - The University of Maine women's hockey team defeated the Warriors of Merrimack, 2-1.

The first period had the Warriors scoring their lone goal as Dani Castino (3) scored off of the perfectly placed pass from Megan Fergusson (5) on the tip in. Katie Kaufman (3) picked up the secondary assist.

Both goalies would remain strong through the period and through the second period, as Carly Jackson racked up 20 saves in the first two periods for the Black Bears. Lea-Kristine Demers for the Warriors picked up 24 saves.

The Black Bears would even the game up at 1-1 as Ida Kuoppala (9) fired home a wrist shot from the edge of the face dot in the offensive zone. Ali Beltz (13) and Ella MacLean (8) picked up the assists.

Kuoppala wasn't done there as she continued on to score the game winning goal with 7:55 remaining in the period. Her 10th goal of the season came on a short-handed situation where she corralled in the loose puck off the pass from Ali Beltz (14) and five-holed Demers in net.

Jackson would pick up the win, her seventh of the season, 40th of her career, finishing with 25 saves. Demers ended with 45 saves in the losing effort.

Maine, who moves to 10-10-5, 6-8-4 in Hockey East, will leave home ice and head down to Hockey East opponent UConn for a pair of games. Those games are both scheduled for a 2:00 P.M. puck drop on Friday, January 24 and Saturday, January 25.

Game Summary

Saturday, January 18, 2020

1
2
Game statistics
26 Shots 47
0 / 5 Power Plays 0 / 5
6 / 12 PIM 6 / 12
4-18-3 Records 10-10-5
GOAL SCORERS
Merrimack Maine
Dani Castino (3)
1st/6:11
Ida Kuoppala (9)
3rd/7:34
Ida Kuoppala (10)
3rd/12:05 SH GW
GOALTENDERS
Merrimack Maine
Léa-Kristine Demers
59:44, 45 Saves, 2 GA
(L, 3-13-3)

Empty Net
0:16, 0 GA
Carly Jackson
59:35, 25 Saves, 1 GA
(W, 7-7-4)

Empty Net
0:25, 0 GA