Women's Ice Hockey: Fortier's Hat Trick Lifts Norwich Past UMass-Boston, 6-0

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Julie Fortier netted her first career hat trick, and Cindy Fortin stopped all 15 shots that she faced to help lift the Norwich University women's ice hockey team to a 6-0 victory over visiting UMass-Boston in an ECAC East contest Friday evening at Kreitzberg Arena.

The Cadets (6-0-0, 5-0-0 ECAC East) enjoyed several quality scoring opportunities in the first period, and they finally broke through with the game's first goal at the 16:05 mark when Fortier scored off an assist from Danielle Del Dotto.

UMass-Boston (1-4-0, 1-4-0 ECAC East) was given an excellent chance to tie the score late in the opening stanza after the Cadets drew consecutive penalties 20 seconds apart. The two hooking infractions whistled against Norwich gave the Beacons an extended two-man advantage. Norwich was able to kill it off, however, and the Cadets carried their 1-0 advantage into the second stanza.

The Cadets broke the game open in the middle stanza, scoring three goals in the period. Amanda Wilks began the offensive outburst less than four minutes into the frame when she netted a power play goal off an assist from Caitie Banfield at the 3:55 mark.

Fortier scored her second marker of the contest at the 11:23 mark when she skated around the back of the net and out to the right-hand faceoff circle before ripping a shot past UMass-Boston goaltender Leah Hallett to make it 3-0. Jacqueline Perez and Katie Leupp picked up assists on the goal.

Fortier completed her hat trick five minutes later when worked a pretty two-on-one play with Sarianne Lynn and beat Hallett from close range.

The Cadets thoroughly dominated the second period, outshooting the Beacons by a 15-4 margin.

Norwich made it 5-0 midway through the third period when Kelsey Cone scored off a feed from Brittane Michaud at the 10:19 mark. The Cadets capped the scoring at the 18:19 mark of the third period when Wilks hit Sophie Leclerc with a long up-ice pass. Leclerc got behind the Beacons' defense and slipped the puck past Hallett to make it 6-0.

NU outshot UMB 15-5 in the third period, and the Cadets held a 41-15 edge in shots for the game.

Fortin (2-0-0) made 15 saves to earn her first shutout of the season. Hallett stopped 35 shots in the loss.

The Cadets went 2-for-5 on the power play, while the Beacons were 0-for-8 with the man-advantage.

Norwich will continue its six-game homestand on Saturday, Nov. 21, when the Cadets face off against ECAC East rival Nichols College. Game time at Kreitzberg Arena is set for 4 p.m.

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