ORONO, Maine - The University of Maine women's ice hockey team defeated the Wildcats of New Hampshire, 5-1.
In the Border Battle, the Black Bears were able to strike first. Ida Kuoppala scored her 13th goal of the season to give Maine the early 1-0 lead. With the goal, Kuoppala increased her goal scoring streak to 4-games. Ida Press (5) and Liga Miljone (14) picked up the assists.
Just 54 seconds into the second period, the Wildcats would score their lone goal, a slap shot from Emily Rickwood, her fifth of the season, to tie the game temporarily at 1-1. Annie Berry (8) picked up the assist.
Ally Johnson would get the Black Bears back in front with her third goal of the season. She tipped the puck off of the Press (6) slap shot to score on the power play. Kuoppala (8) picked up the secondary.
Ella MacLean would keep the offense going as she scored her Collegiate goal off of a fancy deke to get the Black Bears in front by two. Liga Miljone (15) and Maddie Giordano (5) picked up the assists.
Maine would keep the pressure on as Kuoppala scored her 14th of the season, second of the game to increase the lead to 4-1. Miljone (16) and MacLean (9) picked up the assists.
Miljone would cap off the impressive four-point night with a goal of her own, her eighth of the season, to give the Black Bears their final tally of the afternoon. Ali Beltz (15) and Kuoppala (9) picked up the assists.
Carly Jackson picked up the win for the Black Bears, finishing with 31 saves in the contest. Nikki Harnett picked up the loss with 18 saves in the contest. Ava Thewes would come in in relief with 18:04 remaining in the game, posting seven saves to no goals against.
Maine, who moves up to 11-12-5 on the season, 7-10-4 in Hockey East, will resume the Border Battle on Saturday, February 1st at 2:00 P.M. against New Hampshire.