FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: Seth Cole - Phone: 802.654.2537

Senior Day Photos: http://www.smcathletics.com/sports/wice/2010-11/photos/0021/index.
Photos (pics taken by Mary Ann Graf): http://www.smcathletics.com/sports/wice/2010-11/photos/0023/index.

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. - The Saint Michael's College women's ice hockey team (5-18-2, 4-12-2 ECAC East) received a hat trick from junior Madelena Santore (Millington, N.J./New Jersey Rockets/Rutgers Univ.) in a 6-2 "Senior Day" victory versus Nichols College on Saturday afternoon at Cairns Arena.

Seven Purple Knight seniors were honored prior to the contest: Meghan Colitti (Dover, N.H./Berwick Academy), Kaleigh Ferrari (Millbrook, N.Y./The Millbrook School), Alysia Goldman (Ballston Lake, N.Y./Hebron Academy), Meg Guarente (Wellesley, Mass./Wellesley), Emily Ham (Sudbury, Mass./Lincoln-Sudbury Regional), Kelly Rose Losi (Milton, Mass./Milton), and Emily Paquin (Bowie, Md./Washington Pride).

Ferrari and Paquin also scored in Saturday's win, as did freshman Michelle Doherty (Chelmsford, Mass./East Coast Wizards). Junior Kelly McDonald (South Burlington, Vt./South Burlington) and sophomore Melissa Coughlin (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) added two assists apiece, while Goldman saved 27-of-29 shots to earn the win.

For Nichols (4-19-0, 3-14-0 ECAC East), Stacey McGrath and Mandy Manopla scored goals, while Francesca Palazzo stopped 38 shots.

The Bison opened the scoring 4:48 into the contest, but Saint Michael's took the lead for good late in the first period on even-strength goals from Ferrari and Santore. Santore pushed the Purple Knight advantage to 3-1 early in the second period, and following a quick Nichols' goal, Doherty's second goal of the season gave Saint Michael's a 4-2 lead through two periods.

Saint Michael's sealed the win with two goals in the final five minutes of the contest, including Santore's third goal of the game and team-leading 15th goal of the season, just two away from tying the single-season program record.

Saint Michael's returns to action next Saturday, as the Purple Knights host the four-team ECAC Women's Open Tournament, with semifinal games at 1 and 4 p.m.

-PURPLEKNIGHTS-