University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
14-12-1, 11-8-1HEAW
Northeastern University
23-3-1, 20-2-0HEAW
UConn Edged in Overtime Heartbreaker at No. 3 Northeastern
1/31/2020 6:41:00 PM | Women's Ice Hockey
BOSTON, Mass. – The UConn women's hockey team took the fight to third-ranked Northeastern Friday afternoon and nearly pulled off the upset in the Hockey East series finale. The Huskies battled hard for 60 plus minutes and converted a 6-on-4 chance with 1:01 remaining in the third to send the contest into overtime, but an unfortunate bounce allowed Northeastern to come away with the 3-2 overtime victory.
The home team struck for the game's first goal two minutes into the first, as Alina Mueller was able to snipe one over the left shoulder Fisher after receiving a pass in the slot from Chloe Aurard.
Back on the attack, the Huskies tested Northeastern goalie Aerin Frankel early and often, peppering the netminder with 12 shots through the opening frame. UConn was able to get one back late in the period and tied the game at one off the stick of Danielle Fox. After Fox's initial shot was deflected away by Frankel, Jessie Aney crashed the boards and was able to punch out the rebound and slide the puck over to Fox who slotted one into the net, tying the game 1-1 at 17:58.
Northeastern came out extremely aggressive at the start of the second period. After Mueller notched her second goal of the afternoon to put Northeastern ahead 2-1, the offense followed with several more rapid-fire attempts as they looked to tack on to the lead. Morgan Fisher proved she was up to the task as she racked up 11 saves in the period, keeping the Huskies within striking distance heading into the third period.
As they searched for the equalizer, the patient and resilient Huskies were able to create a number of scoring opportunities in the third. UConn got the tying score with just over a minute to play, as Jessie Aney slotted home her first of the year at 18:59 to level the score at 2-2. Racing down the ice, Morgan Wabick flipped the puck up ahead, where Natalie Snodgrass was the first skater to reach it. Snodgrass sent a centering pass out front to Aney and the grad transfer rifled up a shot that deflected off the right post and past the glove of Frankel to level the score with 1:01 on the clock.
Northeastern was able to steal the victory with a goal at the 3:50 mark of the extra session. The host Huskies bursted down the ice and peppered Fisher with a couple shot attempts. The senior netminder turned back Aurard and Mueller, but the loose puck took an unlucky hop and Codie Cross flipped it up and in allowing the home team to escape with the victory.
