Box Score
Nelligan scores twice, Purple Knights tally season-high seven goals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: Tony Bonvechio - Phone: 802.654.2929
Box Score: http://www.smcathletics.com/sports/wice/2010-11/files/wplystm.htm.
Photos (taken by Mary Ann Graf): http://www.smcathletics.com/sports/wice/2010-11/photos/0016/index.
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. – The Saint Michael's College women's hockey team (4-15-2, 3-9-2 ECAC East) scored a season-best seven goals as the Purple Knights knocked off Plymouth State at Cairns Arena on Saturday. Juniors Kiera Nelligan (Melrose, Mass./Arlington Catholic) and Madelena Santore (Millington, N.J./New Jersey Rockets/Rutgers Univ.) led the way for Saint Michael's, as Nelligan had two goals and an assist and Santore netted a goal with three helpers.
The Panthers took a quick lead when freshman Jamie O'Brien (Chelmsford, Mass./Minuteman Lady Flames) flushed a power play goal on a rebound from junior Abby Van Wormer (Marstons Mills, Mass./Barnstable). Saint Michael's had an answer with its own power play goal two minutes later, beginning with a cunning no-look back pass by Santore to senior Emily Paquin (Bowie, Md./Washington Pride). Paquin flipped a wrist shot from the top of the left circle to tie things at 1-1 after one period.
The Purple Knights exploded for five goals in the second period to take a commanding lead. Senior Meg Guarente (Wellesley, Mass./Wellesley) netted her first goal of the season on a putback in the right corner of the crease after a saved slapshot by senior Kaleigh Ferrari (Millbrook, N.Y./The Millbrook School). Nelligan then strung together back-to-back goals to widen the gap to 4-1. Nelligan's first tally was a rebound on a scramble for the puck after sophomore Allison Graf (Long Lake, Minn./Minnesota Thoroughbreds) pasted a slapshot off the glove of Plymouth freshman goalie Ali Ponte (Richmond Hill, Ontario/Stouffville Jr. Stars). Nelligan's second lamp lighter came off another rebound, this time assisted by Santore and junior Kelly McDonald (South Burlington, Vt./South Burlington).
Van Wormer countered with her first of two goals on the day, but sophomore Melissa Hallisey (Dedham, Mass./Dedham) answered back just as quickly with a mop-up goal after a backhand shot by freshman Macey Thomas (Amherst, Mass./Northfield Mount Hermon School) scattered away from the goalie. McDonald and Santore then hooked up for the last goal of the period on a 2-on-1 breakaway. Santore blazed down the left wing and hung on the puck just long enough to make Ponte commit before passing off to McDonald for the easy score.
After accumulating three assists, Santore finally deposited a goal of her own on a breakaway in the third period. The team's leading scorer tallied her 11th goal of the year with a shot fake from the right side before squeaking the puck past Ponte's stick side.
Saint Michael's senior goalie Alysia Goldman (Ballston Lake, N.Y./Hebron Academy) made 34 saves for the Purple Knights, who held a slim 41-37 shot advantage despite the wide margin of victory. For Plymouth, Ponte also made 34 saves.
The Purple Knights return to action next Friday when they travel to UMass Boston for a 4 p.m. game.
GAME SUMMARY
1 2 3 Total
Plymouth State 1 1 1 3
Saint Michael's 1 5 1 7
SCORING
First Period: 1. PSU, O'Brien (Van Wormer, Baruch), 5:35. 2. STM, Santore (Paquin, Nelligan), 7:37.
Second Period: 3. STM, Guarente (Ferrari, Paquin), 2:20. 4. STM, Nelligan (McDonald, Graf), 6:35. 5. STM, Nelligan (Santore), 9:32. 6. PSU, Van Wormer (Blaine), 13:34. 7. STM, Hallisey (Losi, Thomas), 14:15. 8. STM, McDonald (Santore, Graf), 16:41.
Third Period: 9. PSU, Van Wormer (Collins), 17:39. 10. STM, Santore, 18:58.
Shots on Goal: PSU (8 – 11 – 18 – 37), STM (13 – 19 – 9 – 41).
Saves: PSU, Ponte, 60:00 (34 saves). STM, Goldman, 59:59 (34 saves).
-PURPLEKNIGHTS-
