Lancers Topple Vikings off Pavoni Goals

Worcester, MA - The Women's Ice Hockey team looked to beat Salem State Friday night at the Fidelity Ice Arena and grab a win in the double weekend home stand.

The Lancers had just one shot on the game up until the 5th minute, where they had multiple shot opportunities, but none on target. They were clearly dominating the ice and had kept Salem from getting the puck in front of the net until the 9th minute of the period, when Salem had their first shot of the game. Off of a deflection, Salem's Kendra Currier (Middleton, MA) scored to put Salem up early. 

Salem picked up their pace of play after the goal in an intensity that could be felt in the rink, but Worcester quickly retaliated with a goal of their own by senior Emily Pavoni (Granby, MA) in the 11th minute. Senior Katie Puumala (Framingham, MA) also had a great opportunity passed to her across the net but the shot went just wide. Directly after Lancer graduate student Clare Conway (Billerica, MA) sent the puck off the pipe. 

Vikings Isabella Perrotti (Winthrop, MA) and Jessica Robert (North Reading, MA)  had a good connection but the shot went right into goalie sophomore Kelsey Czerniawski's (Chicopee, MA) glove. In the last minute of the period, Pavoni sent the puck into the back of the Vikings' net again off of a rebound to put the Lancers up 2-1 and score her second of the night. 

The second period began with a Lancer shot from senior Shelby Reaugh (Raleigh, NC) right in front of the net but it was saved by goalie Kaia Hollingsworth (Methuen, MA). The game got much more aggressive as it wore on with each team putting their full bodies into the action. There were multiple shots from both teams but no goals. Worcester outshot Salem 15-8. 

In the third period, sophomore Kiersten Erickson (Shrewsbury, MA) stole the puck for a breakaway with just the goalie in between her and the net, but it was saved. Conway scored in the first three minutes of the last period, assisted by Puumala. Czerniawski was on fire in net for the Lancers saving shot after shot in the final minutes of the game. 

The Lancers finished with a 3-1 win. They next play Nichols College tomorrow at home with a 5:30 kickoff.