NORTHFIELD, Vt.  –  In thrilling, come from behind fashion, the Norwich University Women's Ice Hockey team defeated Southern Maine 2-1 in the first half of the Saturday New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) Semifinal doubleheader at Kreitzberg Arena.
 
The Cadets held the upper hand throughout the first 40 minutes of play despite trailing 1-0 and outshooting the Huskies 33-11. Two minutes into the third, Norwich finally got one passed Haley McKim. Rylie McIntyre (Brunswick, Maine) came barreling down the wing and found Ingrid Holstad-Berge (Stavanger, Norway) on the doorstep to tie the game.
 
As the period rolled along, the Cadets kept their foot on the gas pedal. Eventually, McKim could not control the rebound of a Melianne Reynolds (Sherbrooke, Que.) shot and Ally Lague (Barre, Vt.) buried the game winner with less than five minutes to play. In the closing minutes the Huskies could not break out of their defensive zone and Norwich salted the clock away.
 
"I was really proud of our group tonight. Southern Maine is a tireless group that challenged us for the full 60 minutes," said Head Coach Sophie Leclerc Doherty. "I thought our defensive core was tremendous and I'm extremely happy for Ingrid and Ally for coming up clutch for our group."  
 
 The Cadets will travel to Elmira to play for the Tony Mariano Cup Saturday March 4 at 3 PM in the NEHC Championship game.