The USM women’s hockey team looked to continue their sharp play coming off a 5-2 victory over St. Michael’s, but the UMass Boston Beacons were too much for the Huskies as they dropped an ECAC Conference match-up 5-4 in Gorham on Friday.
The Huskies controlled the tempo of the game until the Beacon’s got on the scoreboard with five minutes to go in the opening period on a goal from junior Rachel Sousa. UMass Captain Kristen Smith added another goal to go up by two on a power-play. With a minute left, USM sophomore Lauren Whiting (Hampton, NH) took a crisp pass from behind the Beacon net and beat UMass goaltender Leah Hallett to bring the Huskies within one goal at the end of the first period.
The Beacons had some early chances in the second period, with the Huskies starting the period short-handed. UMass failed to connect on a few passes and were two skaters down on a power-play allowing the Huskies to even the score at two on Whiting’s second goal of the contest.
Keeping the intensity, the Huskies took the lead less than thirty seconds later on a rebound off a shot from the point. Minutes later, a deflected pass resulted in a chance for the Beacons, but a breakaway shot caught off the post and the score remained 3-2 in the Huskies’ favor.
The Beacons evened the score in the third period and took the lead 4-3 with a power-play drive from the blue line by UMass senior forward Marie Nasta. The Beacons’ Sam Phillips scored a shorthanded goal to go up two goals with eight minutes left.
USM sophmore forward Katie Paradis (Rochester, NH) answered for the Huskies, dribbling the puck the length of the ice to score unassisted on a power-play with two minutes to go in the game. It proved too little too late however, and trading penalties in the final two minutes stalled USM’s momentum. Even though they out-shot the Beacons 22-14, the Huskies couldn’t hold the lead and stop a three goal third period.
The Huskies return to action at home on Jan. 26 against Colby College.