The hockey season ended Saturday night for 18 dedicated Huskies. After a painfully close match at New England College that ended 3-4, the women’s hockey team finished their season 7-18-1.
Just one week before, the Huskies had a pair of games against the Pilgrims, winning the first 3-2 at home, but losing in Henniker, NH 2-10.
In Henniker again for the conference quarterfinal game, the Huskies couldn’t pull out a win, though they put up a fight trying.
Junior Shannon Shuttle (New Ispwhich, NH) took the Huskies to an early lead with her third goal of the season off a play from seniors Kelly Connors (Topsfield, MA) and Lindsay Herzog (Hightstown, NJ) just two minutes into the game.
The Pilgrims answered with a slap shot to tie the game, and just one minute later their leading scorer, junior Sarah Graham, snuck another past Husky goalie junior Emily Barrett (Westport, MA).
The second period was a close battle, though NEC out-shot USM 10-6, and netted their third goal of the game.
The third period was controlled by the Southern Maine, who out-shot the Pilgrims 15-6. Junior Megan Irving (Cumberland) narrowed the gap on a power-play goal on a pass from senior Katie Quartuccio (Poughkeepsie, NY).
NEC rallied for two goals and though the Huskies remained strong and brought the score to 3-4 on Herzog’s first goal of the season, they couldn’t capitalize on several late-game opportunities.
Barrett finished the game with an impressive 23 saves.