Geist scored what would prove to be the game winner in the second period. (Photo Credit Mary Gettens).

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (February 10, 2024) – The Stonehill College women's ice hockey team took down Franklin Pierce, 2-1, Saturday afternoon to earn two-game conference sweep. With the win, the Skyhawks move to an even 15-15-2 overall and 15-9-2 in conference play, while the Ravens drop to 14-15 overall and 13-13 against NEWHA opponents.

Highlights

• Sophomore Bailey Feeney lit the lamp on her sixth goal of the season, while classmate Lily Geist scored her ninth on the power play.
• Geist's goal proved to be the game-winner, marking her second of the season and third career.
• Sophomore quartet of Alexis Petford, Brianna Walkom, Lucie Turcotte, and Maeve Carey recorded assists for the Skyhawks.
• Sophomore goaltender Eve Stone picked up her ninth win of the season in goal after stopping 16 of her 17 shots faced on the afternoon.
• Sophomore McKenzie Rich scored her first goal of the season as the lone goal for the Ravens off assists from first-year classmates Lauren Maras and Ashley Wright.
• Sophomore netminder Jill Hertl tallied 36 saves in between the pipes for Franklin Pierce.

How it Happened

• Stonehill wasted little time applying the offensive pressure, scoring the game's opening goal just five minutes into the contest.
• After retrieving a loose puck against the boards on the Skyhawk's defensive end of the ice, Petford dropped a pass transitioning into the offensive zone to Feeney, who sent a wrist shot over the shoulder of Hertl and into the back of the cage for the game's opening score.
• However, the Ravens would find a way to respond in the first period as Rich lit the lamp on the power-play to tie the game up at 1-1 at the 10:08 mark.
• Throughout the remaining 10 minutes of the opening frame, both sides would go back and forth, trading scoring chances and playing to an even score at the end of 20 minutes of action. 
• Stonehill came out of the gates strong in the second, outshooting the Ravens 17-1 throughout the middle frame. 
• In the process, the Skyhawks drew four power-play opportunities, capitalizing on one after Geist scored her ninth of the season from the slot. 
• The first-line left winger received a slap pass from Turcotte from the far side dot and sneaked a one-timer past Hertl to give Stonehill a 2-1 edge on the scoreboard.
• Despite a late penalty in the third and pulled net by the Ravens, the Stone and Skyhawks' defense held firm to secure the two-game sweep over Franklin Pierce. 

  Whaley appeared in her 100th career NCAA game against Franklin Pierce. (Photo Credit Mary Gettens).

Noteworthy

• Stonehill outshot Franklin Pierce (38-17) and won the faceoff battle over the Ravens (40-25).
• Leading the way at the dot for the Skyhawks was sophomore Kathryn Karo who won 12 of her 16 total faceoffs.  
• Karo and Feeney finished tied for the game-high with six shots on goal.
• Stonehill honored its two senior captains Paige Whaley and Grace Parker after the conclusion of Saturday's matchup.

Up Next

Stonehill (15-15-2, 15-9-2 NEWHA) closes out its 2023-24 regular season next weekend with a split two-game series against Saint Anselm College. Puck drop of Friday's series opener between the Skyhawks and Hawks is set for 5 p.m. inside the Bridgewater Ice Arena.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.