NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Elizabeth Ross netted a hat trick, and Sarah Tracey scored the game-winning goal with 4:42 to play in the third period as New England College defeated Norwich in an ECAC East women's hockey game Sunday afternoon at Kreitzberg Arena.

The Cadets (6-6-2, 3-5-2 ECAC East) rallied from a 3-1 deficit with two goals early in the third period, but the Pilgrims (8-6-1, 6-4-1 ECAC East) were able to regain the advantage late in the stanza, and held on for the victory.

New England College jumped out to a 1-0 lead just 2:53 into the first period as Ross scored her first goal of the day. Ross added her second tally at the 15:39 mark of the first period as the Pilgrims took a 2-0 edge into the second stanza.

Norwich cut NEC's lead in half at the 10:14 mark of the second frame as Ashley Cassan scored her first goal of the season off assists from Kelsey Cone and Katie Leupp. The Pilgrims reestablished their two-goal lead less than one minute later when Ross completed her hat trick at the 11:05 mark, and NEC took a 3-1 lead into the third period.

The Cadets outshot the Pilgrims, 23-16, through the first two period, but found themselves trailing with just 20 minutes to play. NU's persistence finally paid off early in the third period as Hilary Davis and Sophie Leclerc each scored goals within the first five minutes of play to knot the score at 3-3 at the 4:56 mark. Sarah Scardino assisted on both goals, while Davis and Cone also picked up assists.

Neither team was able to score again until Tracey tallied the game-winner at the 15:18 mark.

For the game, Norwich outshot New England College, 33-20. NEC goaltender Mary Roux stopped 30 of the 33 shots that she faced en route to the victory between the pipes. Cindy Fortin took the loss in goal for the Cadets.

Norwich takes to the road for its next two games, traveling to Cambridge, Mass., to face MIT on Saturday, Feb. 2, before traveling to Newport, R.I., to battle Salve Regina on Sunday, Feb. 3.