University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Drop 4-2 Decision to No. 8 New Hampshire
10/24/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
STORRS, CT. (October 24) -- Junior Shannon Connolly (Baldwinsville, NY) scored two goals but the Huskies gave up a season-high four goals as the University of Connecticut women’s ice hockey team dropped a 4-2 decision to Hockey East foe and No. 8 New Hampshire Friday evening at the UConn Ice Arena in Storrs. With the loss, UConn slips to 1-2-2 on the campaign, while UNH improves to 1-0-0. This contest was the Hockey East opener for both squads.
After a scoreless first period which saw the Huskies out shoot UNH nine-to-eight, the Wildcats responded. UNH dominated the second act, out shooting UConn 16-to-five and took a 2-0 lead after a goal by Jackie Wedster thanks to a clever pass by Sadie Wright-Ward. Ward controlled the puck in the corner, centered the puck towards a cutting Wedster and the forward drilled a shot past UConn net-minder Shannon Murphy (Mapleville, RI) stick side. However, UConn would not lie down, as Connolly pulled UConn to within one goal. Caitlin Reid (London, Ontario) collected the puck at the right face-off circle and centered the puck to a waiting Connolly, who fired the puck into the top right-hand corner.
The eventual game-winner came off the Huskies’ first power play goal allowed of 2003. Lindsay Hansen’s power play goal came right after the Huskies had killed off a UNH two man advantage. Up one skater, Hansen controlled a pass from Wright and fired it into the upper right corner giving the Wildcats a 3-1 edge they would not relinquish.
Connolly added a short-handed goal with three minutes remaining in regulation, but that was all the Huskies could muster.
Murphy made 27 saves in net for UConn, and Maghan Grahn stopped 22 shots for the Wildcats. Although they were out shot in the second period, UConn out did UNH 19-to-15 in the first and third periods combined.
UConn will get another crack at New Hampshire on Sunday, October 26, when they travel up to Durham. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m.
