Senior Sarah Graham scored a goal and picked up two assists in NEC's 5-1 win over Castleton on Friday.
Women's Ice Hockey wins home opener
New England College women’s ice hockey opened their home schedule beating the visiting Castleton State College Spartans 5-1 Friday afternoon in Henniker. The win is the first of the season for the Pilgrims who improve to 1-2-0 overall and 1-0-0 in ECAC East action. The loss drops the Spartans to 0-3-0 on the season and 0-1-0 in ECAC East play.
New England College wouldn’t waste much time as first-year forward Chelsea Torrico Mt. Washington, Mass.) would net her first collegiate goal just 3:45 into the opening period giving NEC the 1-0 lead. The Pilgrims would extend their lead to 2-0 as senior Sarah Graham (Brampton, Ontario) would convert on a power-play opportunity midway through the period. Castleton would cut the NEC lead to 2-1 as forward Laura Szwed (White Lake, Mich.) would score her team-high third goal of the season off an assist from Amy Costa (Bristol, R.I.) and Adrianna Riggio (Buffalo, N.Y.) at the 13:24 mark.
The Pilgrims would explode for three goals in the second period, including another score by Torrico and a goal by first-year player Samantha Phillips (Scottsdale, Ariz.) The Pilgrim defense would play well holding the Spartans to just four second period shots on net, as the Pilgrims would hold on to the 5-1 lead heading into the second intermission.
Neither team would be able to muster a goal in the final period of play as the Pilgrims out shot the Spartans 12-2 but Castleton keeper Kalla Robb (Manchester, N.H.) would come through with 12 saves.
Leading the way for NEC was Sarah Graham who finished with a goal and two assists. NEC’s Sarah Tracey (Aurora, Ontario) and Rachel White (Arlington, Mass.) each dished out two assists.
Picking up her fist collegiate win in net for the Pilgrims was Teraysa White (Belgrade, Maine) who finished with 22 saves. In net for Castleton was Kalla Robb who finished with an impressive 34 saves.
The Pilgrims return to the ice Saturday, Nov. 8 when they host ECAC East opponent Norwich University at 1:00 p.m. The Spartans will travel to take on ECAC East opponent St. Anselm College on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 3:00 p.m.
