COLCHESTER, Vt. — Gabby Crugnale tallied a pair of unassisted goals to power the University of New England women’s ice hockey team to a 4-1 season-opening win over Saint Michael’s College in a non-league game played Friday evening at Cairns Arena.
The Nor’easters spotted the hosts an early 1-0 advantage 4:44 into the period. After a shot by Kayla Kee was deflected, Amanda Kampainen came up with the loose puck and tapped it through a crowd in front of the crease.
UNE responded by tying the score at 1-1 just over three minutes later. With her team on the power play, Crugnale converted a wrist shot far post from just inside the goal line to the right of the cage.
Big Blue dominated play in the second frame, outshooting the Purple Knights 21-6 while taking a 3-1 advantage. Cassandra Connolly came up with what would prove to be the game-winner, poking home a rebound off a shot by Gabriella Moscato at 8:29, then Crugnale went far-post from the right circle at the 16:10 mark.
The Nor’easters would add another insurance goal midway through the final period when Shannon Smith took a pass from Marissa Clifford-Biederman and broke up the ice on a breakaway before firing a shot from the top of the slot.
Samantha Scobee had 17 stops for the Nor’easters, who held a 38-18 advantage in shots. Her counterpart, Tina Frasca, finished with 34 saves for Saint Michael’s.
UNE will get its league schedule underway Nov. 7 when the Nor’easters take on reigning league champion Norwich University, which lost to Plattsburgh State in last season’s national championship game.
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