Brolsma adds pair of assists

WINCHENDON, Mass. (January 16, 2015) – Sophomore forward Marisa Ketterman (Palmer, Alaska) scored twice in a span of 2:46 in the first period on Friday night to lead the way for the Franklin Pierce University women's ice hockey team in a 3-2 win over Saint Michael's in ECAC East play at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena. Freshman forward Jillian Witwicki scored both goals in defeat for Saint Michael's.

With the win, Franklin Pierce improves to 12-2-1 (5-1-0 ECAC East), while Saint Michael's falls to 2-11-0 (1-6-0 ECAC East).

Saint Michael's opened the scoring less than five minutes into the first stanza on Friday night. Sophomore forward Carolyn Avery was able to take the puck away from the Franklin Pierce attack in her own end and was then able to send a quick pass out of the zone which sprung Witwicki through the neutral zone on a breakaway. In all alone, Witwicki beat Franklin Pierce sophomore goaltender Noelle White (Corona, Calif.) to the top-right corner for her second goal of the season.

The answer for Franklin Pierce came from Ketterman, who struck twice in the final five minutes of the frame to give the Ravens a 2-1 lead heading into the locker room. First, freshman forward Alex Brolsma (Bloomington, Minn.) and junior defenseman Haylea Barbieri (Plainville, Mass.) worked the puck to Ketterman in the slot. The latter quickly snapped her shot to the back of the net at 15:25 for her 10th goal of the season, tying for the team lead.

Ketterman's second goal of the night came just 2:46 later, at the 18:11 mark. Brolsma had the lone assist, as again she got the puck to Ketterman in the slot. This time, the Alaskan's momentum was carrying her towards the left-wing circle, and she lost her balance as she received the puck. Falling away from the net, Ketterman was somehow able to flip a backhand shot over the pad of Saint Michael's sophomore goaltender Tina Frasca and into the net. For Ketterman, it was her fourth multiple-goal game of the season, as well as the fifth of her career.

The Ravens struck next at the 14:05 mark of the middle period for what proved to be an important insurance goal, as it would ultimately stand as the game-winner. After bringing the puck into the zone on the left-wing side, junior forward Colleen Doucette (Wakefield, Mass.) dropped it for fellow junior forward Karsyn Baker (Detroit, Mich.), who took control and deked around a defender near the faceoff dot. Baker was upended on the play, but was able to send a pass across the slot before she went down. Sophomore forward Alysha Raimo (Fitchburg, Mass.) was unattended on the edge of the right-wing circle and one-timed a shot inside the right post for her first goal as a Raven.

Franklin Pierce had an opportunity to push the lead even farther, at 10:18 of the third period, as Doucette was hauled down from behind on a breakaway and was awarded a penalty shot. On the ensuing attempt, she went towards the right post, but was stymied by Frasca's pad and the game remained 3-1.

Saint Michael's closed the gap to 3-2 on Witwicki's second goal of the night with just 4:01 to play. Again Witwicki took a pass from Avery, this time on a rush into the zone on the left-wing side. From the bottom of the left circle, Witwicki was able to put the puck top shelf on the backhand to finish off her first career multiple-goal game. The Purple Knights were unable to get Frasca to the bench for the extra attacker over the game's waning minutes and could not find an equalizer, as Franklin Pierce came away with the 3-2 win.

White finished with 18 saves against 20 shots on goal to pick up the win (8-0-0) in goal for Franklin Pierce. For White, it was her ninth straight victory, dating back to a loss at University of New England on Feb. 7, 2014. At the other end of the ice, Frasca made 24 saves against 27 shots and took the loss (1-7-0) in the crease for Saint Michael's.

The Ravens return to the ice on Saturday, Jan. 17, when they remain home to host Nichols in an ECAC East contest. Opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m. at the 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).