SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (1/20/23) – The Franklin Pierce women's hockey squad opened their weekend series with a shutout victory over the host Saint Michael's College Purple Knights, 2-0, in New England Women's Hockey Alliance (NEWHA) action on Friday night at Cairns Arena.

The win for the Ravens snaps a three-game losing streak, and comes as their third shutout of the season to improve their record to 9-12-2 (6-7-2 NEWHA). Saint Michael's has remained winless through their last 19 contests, and falls to 1-17-2 (1-12-2 NEWHA) with the loss.

The first period was a quiet one on the scoreboard for both teams, but the Ravens seized control right off the opening puck drop as they outshot Saint Michael's, 22-5. With the shots advantage, Pierce had multiple opportunities to secure the evening's first goal in the opening frame, but were unable to do so until the early stages of the second period.

Freshman forward Avery Farrell (Otsego, Minn.) opened the scoring for Pierce with her first ninth goal of the season just 2:29 into the second period. The goal came after a strong solo effort into the offensive zone by senior defender Bethany Ross (Canton, Mich.), who carried the puck in hard to the net after intercepting a pass at center ice, which generated the rebound for Farrell to give the Ravens the 1-0 lead. Moments later, junior Emilie Prive (Morrisville, Vt.) capitalized off another strong effort by the Raven forward corps, and extended the lead to 2-0 after burying a loose puck at the bottom of the left circle. Forwards Jenna Ruiz (Webster, Wis.) and Cassidy Jones each snagged assists on the goal, which would prove to be the game winner for Pierce.

After a scoreless third period, the Ravens concluded the full 60-minute effort with a whopping 59-9 shots advantage over the host Purple Knights. Freshman goaltender Jill Hertl (Highland Park, Ill.) stopped all nine shots faced, and has backstopped the Ravens through each of their now three shutouts this season. Saint Michael's starter Carissa Mudrak remained strong in net despite the difference in shots, stopping 57-of-59 shots faced.

The Ravens will look to secure the weekend sweep of the Purple Knights tomorrow (1/21/23) evening for a 4:00 p.m. puck drop, right back at Cairns Arena.