Hamilton, NY — The 51·çÁ÷ women’s hockey finished off a four point weekend after a 4-1 over Union at Starr Rink on Saturday. The Raiders are now 9-2-1 overall and 3-0 in ECAC. Leading the way for 51·çÁ÷ was freshman defender Tara French (Truro, N.S.) who finished the game with three assists.
The Raiders opened up the first period by taking a 1-0 advantage to the locker room. Leading scorer Becky Irvine (Lakeview, N.S.) tallied a power-play goal at 16:17 off passes from Brittney Briggs (Brighton, Mich.) and Allison Paiano (Orleans, Ont.).
The Raiders outshot the Dutchwomen 15-6 in the frame as freshman netminder Brook Wheeler (Brussels, Ont.) turned aside all six shots.
Irvine gave the Raiders a two-goal advantage with a power-play goal at 1:21 of the second period. Paiano and French assisted on the goals. It marks the first time this season 51·çÁ÷ has scored two power-play goals in one game.
Union closed the gap to one goal with a breakaway off a turnover. Elise Nichold stole a pass and beat the goalie with 49 seconds left in the second period, cutting the Raider lead to 2-1.
The Raiders came out and grabbed two goals in the third period to set the final. Paiano scored her eighth goal of the season with a power-play tally at 8:11. French and Carly McNaughton (Lethbridge, Alb.) were credited with the assists.
The final goal of the game came at 14:58 of the third when freshman Ashley Johnston (Duxbury, Ma.) found the back of the net off passes from Micki King and French.
51·çÁ÷ outshot Union 38-15 and finished 3-6 on the power play. The Raiders killed all seven Union power-play chances and Wheeler made 14 saves for her third consecutive victory.
The Raiders face a tough test next weekend as they head to nationally ranked Mercyhurst for a series in Erie.