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            NORTHFIELD, Vt. -- The top-seeded Norwich University women's ice hockey team exploded for four goals in the opening period and cruised to a 7-0 victory over sixth-seeded University of Southern Maine Saturday afternoon at Kreitzberg Arena in the second semifinal game of the ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) Women's East Championship Tournament.

            The win extends the Cadets unbeaten streak to 17 games and improves their overall record to 23-3-1.  The Cadets will meet second-seeded Manhattanville College for the championship game on Sunday (3:00 p.m.).  Manhattanville came from behind with two goals in the third period to beat fifth-seeded University of Massachusetts Boston, 2-1, in the earlier semifinal.

            The Huskies, making their first semifinal appearance since 2009, finish the season at 8-17-2.

            Freshman Renee Lortie (Cornwall, Ontario) and junior Melissa Rundlett (Saco, Maine) paced the high-powered Norwich offense with two goals apiece.  Sophomores Jillayne DeBus (Howell, Mich.) and Jacqueline Perez (San Gabriel, Calif.) and senior Brittane Michaud (Lewiston, Maine) had the other Norwich goals.  Junior Julie Fortier (Saint-Malachie, Quebec) collected four assists, and sophomore Stephanie Inverzinni (Hingham, Mass.) had three helpers.

            Senior goalie Cindy Fortin (Quebec City, Quebec) posted her fourth shutout of the season, and second against USM this season, making 11 saves.

            USM rookie goaltender Jordan Lee (Colorado Springs, Colo.) registered 22 saves in a losing effort.  Lee finished the season with 710 saves to set a single-season record, breaking the previous mark of 688 set by Karen Jamnik in the 2003-04 season.

            DeBus opened the first-period floodgates scoring her 15th of the season at 10:39.  Less than two minutes later, Michaud lit the lamp with a power-play goal.  Lortie capped off the outburst with her two goals 1:29 apart late in the period.

            Perez and Rundlett found the net in the opening six minutes of the second period.  Rundlett had the only goal in the final period.

            Norwich rolled up a 29-11 advantage in shots on goal and converted 2 of 5 power-play opportunities.  Southern Maine was 0 for 4 with the extra skater.

            The winner of Sunday's championship game will receive an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament.

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