BOSTON, Mass. – The Saint Michael's College women's ice hockey team dropped a 5-0 decision against the University of Massachusetts at Boston in New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) action at the Beacons Ice Arena on Saturday. The Purple Knights move to 3-11-1 overall and 1-7 in league play, while the Beacons are 8-8 and 6-2.

Saint Michael's senior Kaly Spilhaus (Bourne, Mass./Groton School) was 7-of-9 on faceoffs. Junior Abby Burke (Bedford, Mass./The Rivers School) stopped 20 shots during the first two periods, while classmate Erica Ragazzo (Mansfield, Mass./Ursuline Academy) made 12 saves in the third period.

UMass Boston senior Jenny Currie and sophomore Katie Jeter both recorded one goal and one assist, with juniors Lizzie Aveson and Kristen Embrey and sophomore Katie Barry each providing one tally. Junior Kat Armstrong had two assists and first-year Alyssa DePippo registered a 17-save shutout.

The Beacons netted three goals on 14 first-period shots. The hosts looked to strike early, but the Purple Knights blocked four shots, including two by sophomore Amanda Donahoe (Wakefield, Mass./Saint Mary's). UMass Boston broke through at 6:27 as Currie found the back of the net with help from Jeter. Aveson scored at 13:33 and Jeter potted a power-play marker with four seconds left in the opening stanza.

UMass Boston narrowly outshot Saint Michael's, 10-9, in the second period. During a short-handed opportunity just past midway of the stanza, Purple Knight junior Sarah Bagley (Concord, Mass./Concord-Carlisle) was stopped twice, while classmate Erin Dwyer (Weymouth, Mass./Archbishop Williams) was denied once by DePippo. Barry's marker at 14:28 made the game a 4-0 affair.

During the opening three minutes of the third period, Ragazzo turned away five shots during the Beacons' power-play chance. The hosts converted on their next player-advantage opportunity as Embrey tallied at 11:04 for UMass Boston's fifth and final goal. Currie then hit the post in the closing minutes, while Dwyer and first-year Brenna Galvin (Dorchester, Mass./Boston Latin School) were both stopped by DePippo in the final minute.

Saint Michael's hosts No. 9 Norwich University on Friday at 7 p.m. The Cadets, who advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament title game in four of the last six years, are ranked ninth in both national polls. Norwich has won the last four conference tournament championships.