MANCHESTER, N.H. – Freshman Alexandra Starzyk (Enfield, Conn.) scored the game-winning goal and added an assist as the Saint Anselm College women's ice hockey team took down Salve Regina University, 2-1, Saturday afternoon in ECAC Women's East ice hockey action as the Hawks celebrated Senior Day.
With the win, Saint Anselm grabs its fourth straight to improve to 19-3-0 overall and 12-2-0 in conference play, while the Seahawks drop to 13-6-4, 8-5-1 ECAC East.
Neither team found the back of the net in the opening frame, despite Saint Anselm holding a 17-1 edge in shots on goal. Freshman Alison Butler (Danvers, Mass.) had the best chance for Saint Anselm when she broke free from the pack and challenged Salve Regina goaltender Colleen Marcik to a one-on-one, but Butler's point-blank shot was rejected with 15 seconds remaining in the period.
Salve Regina went on to break the ice at 3:34 when Michaela Chiccariello picked up her own rebound off the pads of Hannah Synnott (Montclair, N.J.) and flipped the puck over the freshman's shoulder.
Trailing 1-0, the Hawks leveled the score at 8:43 when junior Tiffany Herron (Clinton Township, Mich.) sent a slapshot from the left circle that was not seen by Marcik, before the puck found its way to the back of the net. Freshman Alison Quinn (Canton, Mass.) initiated the play as she cycled the puck from the right corner - to Starzyk - and she pushed the puck from behind the net to Herron, in the left corner.
Saint Anselm broke the 1-1 tie at 11:25 of the third when Starzyk scored on a Saint Anselm power-play. Junior Franny Nicholson (St. Paul, Minn.) sent the puck in from the point, where it found Starzyk and she followed up on her rebound to burry it into the left side.
Synnott made 15 saves and remains perfect at 10-0-0 on the season, while the Marcik stopped 48 shots on goal. The Hawks held a 50-16 shot advantage and were 1-for-6 with the extra skater, while Salve Regina was 0-for-5.
Seniors Courtney Winters (Swampscott, Mass.), Jacqueline Bouchie (Belmont, Mass.) and Andi Foss (Elko, Minn.) were each honored in a ceremony prior to the start of the game.
The Hawks return to action Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. as they play host to the Ravens of Franklin Pierce University. Stay up-to-date with the latest news, including game previews and recaps, directly from the Saint Anselm College athletic department by liking us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/STAHawks) and following us on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/STAHawks).
