Box
Score
RYE, N.Y. - The Norwich University women's ice
hockey team captured its second straight ECAC East Tournament title
on Sunday afternoon as the second-seeded Cadets shut out
fifth-seeded New England College, 3-0, in the championship game at
Playland Ice Casino.
The victory also guarantees that the Norwich (18-5-5) will be
making a return trip to the NCAA Tournament, as the Cadets secure
the league's automatic berth to the event. NU's opponent in the
tournament, which is set to begin next weekend, will be announced
later today when the NCAA reveals the field.
Norwich's first good scoring chance of the contest came with
seven minutes remaining in the first period when freshman D
Brittany Casey rang a wrist shot off the left goalpost.
The Cadets' persistence finally paid off when junior F Kelsey
Cone scored on the power play with less than three minutes to play
in the first period. Sophomore D Amanda Wilks ripped a shot from
the right point that Cone deflected past NEC goaltender Teraysa
White at the 17:07 mark. The marker, which was Cone's 10th of the
season, was also assisted by sophomore D Sarianne Lynn, who worked
the puck to Wilks at the point.
Norwich outshot New England College 11-4 in the opening 20
minutes, and the Cadets skated off the ice with a 1-0 advantage.
The Cadets again carried the play in the second period,
outshooting the Pilgrims by a 16-12 margin. Norwich was unable to
score on three power play attempts in the frame, but the Cadets did
tally their second marker of the contest late in the stanza when
Fortier netted her team-leading 22nd goal of the year at the 19:04
mark. Lynn, whose shot from the blue line was deflected by Fortier
and past White, was credited with an assist on the play.
New England College (12-13-3) enjoyed a 7-3 edge in shots during
the third period, but the Pilgrims were not able to get anything
behind Norwich junior G Cindy Fortin.
Junior F Brittane Michaud added an unassisted empty-net goal
with 1:04 to play in the third period to cap the scoring. The
third-year performer, who potted four goals in the Cadets' 8-0
semifinal victory over UMass-Boston on Saturday, has now scored
eight goals on the season.
Fortin was on top of her game throughout, stopping all 23 shots
that she faced to earn her second straight shutout.
White, who was named the ECAC East "Goalie of the Year," made 27
saves for the Pilgrims in the loss.
Wilks, Michaud and Fortier represented Norwich on the
all-tournament team. Michaud, who scored five goals over the course
of the weekend, was named the event's "Most Valuable Player." White
earned all-tournament team honors for NEC, while UMass-Boston's
Maria Nasta rounded out the team.
