Saints Fall to UNH in Season Opener

CANTON, N.Y. -- The University of New Hampshire's Steph Holmes scored the go-ahead goal with 9:24 remaining in regulation, and rookie Jenn Wakefield added an insurance goal as the No. 4/3 Wildcats scored three third-period goals and defeated the No. 3 /4 St. Lawrence University women's hockey team by the score of 4-2 in the 2007-08 season opener for both teams at Appleton Arena on Saturday night.

The Saints (0-1-0, 0-0-0) dropped their first season-opener since the 2000-01 season, while New Hampshire (1-0-0, 0-0-0) cut St. Lawrence's advantage in the all-time series to 9-8-3.

The opening period belonged to the goaltenders, as UNH's Kayley Herman and St. Lawrence's Meaghan Guckian (pictured) each made several impressive saves to keep the game scoreless in the early going. Guckian looked to be on her game early when she turned back both Julia Marty and a rebound chance by Jennifer Hitchcock.

However, the Wildcats, who out-shot the Saints 11-8 in the first period, finally solved Guckian at 18:43 of the opening period. Micaela Long got the play started for the visitors as she found Leah Craig for a one-timer from the point. Craig's shot deflected off of Sadie Wright-Ward's stick and over Guckian's left shoulder to put UNH on top, 1-0 after one period.

St. Lawrence would respond in style in the second period, though, thanks to some outstanding power play work. After New Hampshire's Sam Faber and Nicole Goguen both took minor penalties only 58 seconds apart, the Saints skated with a 5-on-3 advantage. After the puck was sent towards Herman, there was a scrum in front of the net, which allowed junior Marianna Locke to pounce. The Brasher Falls, NY native got to the loose puck and jammed it past Herman to even the score at 1-1, with the power play goal coming at 4:11 of the second.

A mere 1:20 later, the Scarlet and Brown were celebrating again, this time thanks to Alison Domenico as the junior scored her first of the season at 5:31 of the second period to give the Saint their first lead of the evening. Sophomore Britni Smith fired a slap shot from the blue line that was blocked in front by fellow classmate Courtney Sawchuk. However, the puck bounced off of Sawchuk to the far post, where Domenico was waiting to capitalize and finished the play for the 2-1 lead.

New Hampshire's best chance to tie the score in the second period came with 9:22 remaining, as Hitchcock was awarded a penalty shot when senior Kerri Wallace was called for hooking on a breakaway attempt. However, Guckian was up to the task, turning away Hitchcock's bid and protecting the 2-1 lead heading to the third period.

The Wildcats wouldn't waste much time before evening the score in the third period, as Faber scored only seven seconds after a UNH penalty expired to make the score 2-2 with 17:58 to play in regulation. Faber recovered the puck in the Saints zone, and with a defender in her face, snapped a quick, low shot that fooled Guckian and found the netting for her first goal of the season.

The Wildcats' defense began to take away the Saints' passing lanes in the third period, and their success limited the home team's offensive chances. Their defensive pressure led to a turnover in the defensive zone, and the Wildcats quickly worked the puck in front of Guckian. Holmes took advantage of her opportunity, as she lifted the puck under the crossbar to put her team on top 3-2.

Though the Saints would have another power play chance after Hitchcock was sent off for tripping, the Scarlet and Brown could not get any momentum in their favor. After successfully killing off the Saints' tenth power play of the evening, New Hampshire put the game away with 5:17 remaining. Courtney Birchard took a pass from Hitchcock, and hit a long outlet pass to Wakefield, who skated in from Guckian's left on a breakaway. Though the senior netminder did all she could, Wakefield was able to skate through the crease and lift a shot off of the backhand into the goal to help ensure UNH's opening victory of the season.

"I think we did a lot of things well tonight," said Saints head coach Paul Flanagan, who will coach the 300 th game of his career on Saturday afternoon. "We'll focus on the positive things we did tonight and come back tomorrow looking to improve."

New Hampshire finished with a 27-18 advantage in shots on goal, while the Saints were 2-of-10 on the power play. UNH finished 0-of-6 with the extra skater. Herman earned the win for the visiting Wildcats, making 16 stops, while Guckian dropped the opening contest despite making 23 saves.

The Saints and Wildcats will clash again tomorrow, Saturday, October 6th in Appleton Arena at 4 p.m.