WORCESTER, Mass.– The Assumption University women's ice hockey team saw goals from
Annie Forker and
Kaitlyn Cielo as the Greyhounds earned a 2-0 win over Sacred Heart University in New England Women's Hockey Alliance action Friday evening at the Worcester Ice Center.
THE BASICS
Score: Assumption University 2, Sacred Heart University 0
Records: Greyhounds (3-0-1, 3-0-0 NEWHA) | Pioneers (0-3-0, 0-1-0 NEWHA)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Assumption controlled the opening period, outshooting Sacred Heart 20-3. The Greyhounds broke through at 12:03 when
Annie Forker scored her third goal of the season off an assist from
Kayla McGaffigan, giving Assumption a 1-0 lead. Just over three minutes later,
Kaitlyn Cielo doubled the lead with a power-play goal at 15:07, assisted by
Alexa Hanrahan, sending the Greyhounds into the first intermission ahead 2-0.
The Greyhounds continued to generate scoring opportunities in the second period, recording nine shots on goal. Assumption had two power-play opportunities but could not extend its lead. Sacred Heart increased its offensive pressure with 12 shots in the frame, but
Taylor Thompson turned aside every attempt to preserve the two-goal advantage heading into the third.
Sacred Heart pushed for a comeback in the final period, outshooting Assumption 17-5. The Greyhounds were forced to defend multiple penalties, including an extended 5-on-3 opportunity, but Thompson stood tall with 17 third-period saves. Assumption held off the Pioneers' late push, including an extra-attacker opportunity, to secure the 2-0 victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Taylor Thompson recorded 32 saves for her first career win and shutout.
- Assumption outshot Sacred Heart 34-32 and won 27 of 51 faceoffs.
- The Greyhounds blocked 13 shots as a team, with Kaitlyn Prive and Justina Valentini each with a pair.
- Assumption's 3-0-1 record to begin the season is the best by a NEWHA school since the conference expanded to six teams in the 2019-20 campaign.
- Sacred Heart still leads the all-time series 8-6-1.
UP NEXT
- Assumption vs. Sacred Heart University, Saturday, October 10, 7:00 pm
--
For continuing coverage of Assumption University Athletics, visit assumptiongreyhounds.com and follow the Greyhounds on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
