Baker notches goal, assist

WINCHENDON, Mass. (October 26, 2012) – Freshman forward Colleen Doucette (Wakefield, Mass.) jammed home a loose puck at the 12:08 mark of the first period on Friday night to score the first goal in program history, but the Franklin Pierce University women's ice hockey team was defeated in its inaugural competition by Salve Regina, 13-2, at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena. Freshman forward Shelby Johnson scored three goals and added an assist to post a four-point night in the victory for Salve Regina.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce opens its initial campaign at 0-1-0, while Salve Regina starts its season at 1-0-0 (0-0-0 ECAC East).

Johnson got the scoring started just 2:58 into the contest, when she finished off a feed from freshman forward Kimberly Spring for her first career goal. Senior defenseman Taylor Shepherd added an assist as the Seahawks jumped to a 1-0 lead. Salve Regina would double the lead to 2-0 on the power play at the 11:08 mark, when freshman forward Cheyenne Boyd one-timed home her first career goal off assists from senior forward Rachel Porter and freshman forward Molly O'Sullivan.

The Ravens would briefly cut the deficit to 2-1 exactly a minute after the Boyd goal. With the puck amidst a traffic jam of bodies in the slot, Doucette was able to find it first and wrist home the team's first-ever goal. Fellow freshman forwards Michaela Faia (Malden, Mass.) and Karsyn Baker (Detroit, Mich.) picked up the assists on the play.

It would take only 21 seconds for Salve Regina to reclaim the two-goal lead, as sophomore forward Sarah Markey put away the eventual game-winning goal off an assist from sophomore forward Michaela Chiuccariello. The goal would start a run of seven straight goals by the Seahawks, who would find themselves with a 9-1 lead with 5:06 to play in the second period. In the run, Johnson notched her second goal of the night, while Chiuccariello would score twice.

Baker and Doucette each tallied their second point of the night, as Franklin Pierce got on the board again at the 17:52 mark of the second period, this time on the power play. The former notched her first career goal, while the latter dished out her first assist.

Salve Regina would score once more in the second and three times in the third to create the 13-2 final. The Seahawks netted two more power-play goals in the third period to finish with four on eight chances with the man-advantage. At the 8:19 mark of the third, Johnson got hauled down from behind on a breakaway and scored on the ensuing penalty shot to finish off her hat trick.

Junior Amelea Gray (Bozeman, Mont.) started in net for Franklin Pierce, made seven saves against 15 shots on goal over the game's first 29:34 and ultimately took the loss (0-1-0). Freshman Meghan Nelson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) went the rest of the way and made 10 saves against 15 shots on goal over 30:26.

For Salve Regina, senior Ali Muehlbronner picked up the win (1-0-0) after making 13 saves against 15 shots on goal over 45:14 before taking the rest of the night off. Freshman Mariah Mosher made her collegiate debut and minded the net for the final 14:46, turning aside the only shot she faced.

The Ravens return to the ice on Saturday, Oct. 27, when they remain home to host Nichols. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce women's ice hockey apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' brand new online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).