SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. - The Saint Michael's College women's ice hockey team received 54 saves from first-year Abby Burke (Bedford, Mass./Assabet Valley Patriots) while staying close with No. 4 Norwich University during a 2-0 loss on Saturday at Cairns Arena in Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) East action. The Purple Knights fall to 0-3 overall and 0-2 in the league, while the Cadets, who are nationally ranked by the most recent D3hockey.com and U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO) Division III polls, improve to 3-1 and 2-0.

Burke limited Norwich to single goals in the first and second periods while posting 27 of her stops alone during a shutout third period. Cadet junior Kaycie Anderson (Maple Plain, Minn./Minnesota Crunch U-19AA) and first-year Madyson Moore (Dubuque, Iowa/New England College) each had a goal and an assist, while sophomore Maggie Cross (Wattsburg, Pa./National Sports Academy) contributed with an assist. Junior goaltender Taylor Fairchild (Overland Park, Kan./Lindenwood) turned away seven Purple Knight shots.

Norwich scored 8:35 into the first period on a goal by Anderson, taking advantage of a loose puck in front of the net. The Cadets looked to take a 2-0 advantage later in the period when senior Tori Charron (Tecumseh, Ontario/Elmira) tried to go backhand under the pad, but Burke made a kick save to keep the score 1-0. Purple Knight senior Macey Thomas (Amherst, Mass./Northfield Mount Hermon) had an opportunity to tie the game late in the opening period, standing alone in front of the net, but her shot was turned away by Fairchild. Moore gave her team a 2-0 advantage 8:58 into the second frame on a breakaway. The Purple Knights looked to get on the board in the third period, but all five of their shots on net were turned away by Fairchild.

The Purple Knights host Salve Regina University on Friday at 7 p.m. at Cairns Arena.