Semifinals set after pair of first round upsets
By: Mary Elizabeth Provost
The New England Women's Hockey Alliance completed the first round of playoffs this weekend with four best-of-three matchups. Three teams secured their spot in the semifinal game in just two games.
Box Scores and Recaps
#8 Saint Michael's at #1 LIU
Game 1: LIU 4 - SMC 0 | Box Score
Game 2: LIU 2 - SMC 0 | Box Score
Long Island Wins Series 2-0
East Meadow, N.Y. - The regular-season champions completed a series sweep on Saturday night with a 2-0 shutout against the Purple Knights. After a scoreless first period, freshman Drew Dyczkowsk tallied a goal just 35 seconds into the second period. The Sharks extended their lead in the third period with an unassisted goal by Anya Weilandt. Goaltender Abbie Thompson stopped all 25 shots she faced for Long Island, securing the shutout and keeping Saint Michael's scoreless for the series after a 4-0 win on Friday.
#7 Post at #2 Franklin Pierce
Game 1: Post 1 - FPU 0 | Box Score
Game 2: Post 1 - FPU 0 | Box Score
Post Wins Series 2-0
Winchendon, Mass. - Post University defeated number two seed Franklin Pierce in a competitive series sweep over the weekend. Friday night's game was a defensive battle, remaining scoreless until the third period when Tristan Currie netted an unassisted goal at 9:08. The tight game was followed by another 1-0 contest on Saturday which would secure the Eagles' spot in the semifinal matchup. Netminder Hannah Saunders played a key role, stopping all 55 shots she faced across both games to help secure the shutout victory.
#6 Assumption at #3 Sacred Heart
Game 1: Sacred Heart 1 - Assumption 0 | Box Score
Game 2: Sacred Heart 6 - Assumption 2 | Box Score
Sacred Heart Wins Series 2-0
Fairfield, Conn. - Sacred Heart secured a spot in the second round after sweeping Assumption in their best-of-three series this weekend. On Friday night, the Pioneers capitalized on a power play in the first period when Brianna Morden scored the only goal of the game. Goaltender Carly Greene recorded a shutout, stopping all 37 shots she faced. Saturday's game was an aggressive battle, with Assumption registering 35 shots on goal and Sacred Heart recording 29. The Pioneers won 6-2 to advance to the next round.
#5 Saint Anselm at #4 Stonehill
Game 1: Stonehill 2 - Saint Anselm 1 (2OT) | Box Score
Game 2: Saint Anselm 4 - Stonehill 3 | Box Score
Game 3: Saint Anselm 4 - Stonehill 2 | Box Score
Saint Anselm Wins Series 2-1
Bridgewater, Mass. - In a competitive three-game series, five-seeded Saint Anselm defeated four-seeded Stonehill on Sunday night. After dropping game one to the Skyhawks in double overtime, Saint Anselm rallied with 39 shots on goal to secure a 4-3 win in game two. To advance to the semifinals, Mackenzie Moss sparked the offense in the first period with her first career goal, unassisted. Stonehill's Maddison Achtyl scored twice in the second period, but the Skyhawks fell short as goaltender Ava Hills made 44 saves, allowing just her 2 goals on 46 shots.
Semifinal games will take place on Wednesday, March 5. #7 Post travels to #1 LIU for a 2 p.m. contest in East Meadow, N.Y. #5 Saint Anselm travels to Fairfield, Conn. for a 7 p.m. match-up with #3 Sacred Heart. The winners will play in the league's championship game on Saturday, March 8 at the highest remaining seed.