Southern Maine Falls at Suffolk 3-2

            EAST BOSTON, Mass. -- Despite a 40-save performance from senior goalie Whitney Padgett (Eden Prairie, Minn.), the visiting University of Southern Maine women 's ice hockey fell to Suffolk University, 3-2, in a New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) game on Friday at the Porrazzo Rink.

            The win was the second straight for the Rams, and improved their record to 4-8-2 overall and 4-3-1 in NEHC play.  The Huskies slipped to 4-8-0 overall and 3-5-0 in conference games.  The two teams will meet again on February 1 at USM.

            In the opening period, Suffolk outshot Southern Maine 14-1, but came away with just a 1-1 tie.  USM junior Rylie Binette (Milan, N.H.) gave the visitors a 1-0 lead on their only shot of the period at 7:48.  The goal, Binette's second of the season, coming at 7:48 was unassisted.

            The Rams tied the score late in the period on the first of two goals from freshman Madison Ricardo (Nobleton, Ontario) at 18:28.  Ricardo's second goal. coming at 16:45 of the second period, gave the Rams the lead for good.

            Suffolk got what proved to be the game-winning goal at 16:17 of the third period when sophomore Emily Johnston (Surrey, B.C.) converted a feed from classmate Shana Cote (Broomfield, Colo.).

            The Huskies made things interesting in the final minute as senior Amanda Piknick (Hyannis, Mass.) tallied a power-play goal, set up by classmate Katie Nolan (Dorchester, Mass.), at 19:26.  The Huskies were able to get the extra attacker on for Padgett with 26 seconds remaining, but were unable to get an equalizer to force the game into overtime.

            Suffolk finished the game with a 43-13 edge in shots on goal.  Rookie goalie Julia McLellan (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.) made 11 saves for the Rams to earn her second win of the season.  Southern Maine was successful on 1 of 3 power-play chances while Suffolk was 0 for 2 with the extra skater.

            Southern Maine closes the first-semester half of its schedule on Saturday (4 p.m.) hosting Salem State University for an NEHC matchup.  Suffolk will entertain New England College, also on Saturday (5:30 p.m.), for an NEHC game.

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