3/2/08 - Women's Ice Hockey
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Saint Michael's
3
Holy Cross
ECAC Open Tournament at Saint Anselm

 

 


 
 

Women's Ice Hockey

February 23, 2008

Biron, Women's Ice Hockey Close Out Regular Season With 3-1 Win Versus Castleton


SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. ? The Saint Michael's College women's ice hockey team (8-14-1, 8-10-1 ECAC East) closed out the regular season on Saturday with a 3-1 victory versus in-state rival Castleton State College in league action at Cairns Arena.

For the Purple Knights, sophomore Desiree Biron (Bow, N.H./Univ. of Vermont) assisted on the first two goals, and sealed the win with an empty-netter with 21 seconds remaining. Sophomore Crystal Sarno (Stoneham, Mass./Canterbury) and freshman Emily Paquin (Bowie, Md./St. John's College HS) also scored for Saint Michael's, while junior Melanie Cullen (Derry, N.H./Pinkerton Academy) stopped 38 shots.

For Castleton (5-15-4, 4-11-4 ECAC East), freshman Kate Gray (Northfield, Vt.) scored off of assists from senior Sarah Pearson (Kingston, Ontario) and junior Katelyn Greene (Westborough, Mass.). Junior Kalla Robb (Manchester, N.H.) recorded 31 saves for the Spartans, who are winless in their last nine contests (0-8-1).

After a scoreless first period, Saint Michael's opened the scoring 9:15 into the second period on Sarno's sixth goal of the season, assisted by Biron and senior Brittany O'Brien (Stowe, Vt./Stowe). The Purple Knights doubled their lead 10:10 into the third period, as Paquin lit the lamp for her fourth score of the season, with Biron earning her second assist of the contest.

Less than two minutes later, however, Castleton cut its deficit in half, as Gray notched her fifth goal of the season, a power-play tally. The Spartans pulled Robb following a time out with 39 seconds remaining, but Biron's team-leading 10th goal of the season sealed the win for Saint Michael's, extending the Purple Knights' program record for victories in a season.

Prior to the contest, O'Brien and fellow seniors Gabrielle Bourgeois (New Haven, Vt./Middlebury Union) and Leslie Pomponi (Belmont, Mass./Belmont) were honored for playing in the final home game of their career. For Bourgeois, it also marked her 100th game with the Purple Knights.

Saint Michael's returns to action on Saturday, March 1, as the Purple Knights take on host Saint Anselm College in the semifinals of the ECAC Women's Open Tournament.

GAME SUMMARY

1 2 3 Total

Castleton 0 0 1 -- 1

Saint Michael's 0 1 2 -- 3

First Period - Scoring: No scoring. Penalties: CST, 2 minors; SMC, 1 minor.

Second Period - Scoring: 1. SMC, Sarno (Biron, O'Brien), 9:15. Penalties: CST, 0 minors. SMC, 1 minor.

Third Period - Scoring: 2. SMC, Paquin (Biron), 10:10. 3. CST, Gray (Pearson, Greene), 12:00 (pp). 4. SMC, Biron (Tourville), 19:39 (en). Penalties: CST, 3 minors. SMC, 4 minors.

Shots on Goal: CST (10 ? 16 ? 13 ? 39), SMC (13 ? 5 ? 15 ? 33).

Saves: CST, Robb (33 shots, 31 saves); SMC, Cullen (39 shots, 38 saves).

##PURPLEKNIGHTS###