WINCHENDON, Mass. (2/17/23) - The Franklin Pierce women's hockey team pulled out a thrilling 3-2, NEWHA-conference victory over the Long Island University Sharks on Friday afternoon at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena. Sophomore defender Julia Stevens (Minneapolis, Minn.) provided the game-winner with just 1:50 left in regulation.  

The Ravens claim a key victory over the conference-leading Sharks, and secure home ice for the upcoming Quarterfinal round of the NEWHA playoffs, improving to 14-13-3 (11-8-3 NEWHA) overall. With the loss, the Sharks drop to 18-12-3 (17-3-3 NEWHA).

After a stalemate first period, the Ravens broke through late on the power play when freshman Avery Farrell (Ostego, Minn.) gained the attacking zone with the puck and fed a pass in front to Jenna Ruiz (Webster, Wis.), who wired a wrist shot past Sharks' Tindra Holm for her 16^th goal of the season. Ava Kison (Eau Claire, Wis.) was also credited with an assist on Ruiz's goal.

However, the Sharks were able draw even at the 10:29 into the second period. The sequence started off a redirect off an initial shot by Abby Latorella, which produced a sizeable rebound. In the right place , forward Sarah Rourke cleaned up the loose change in front of Raven starter Jill Hertl (Highland Park, Ill.), making it 1-1. Yet, the lead didn't last for long for the Sharks as Pierce regained control just 3:11 after the Rourke equalizer. Once again on the power play, Jenna Ruiz took full advantage of it as she slid a pass across to Avery Farrell in front of the LIU net, who found a wide open Claire Casey (Superior, Wis.) at the top of the right circle. Casey then sent a shot upstairs on Holm, beating her glove side for her 4^th goal of the season. As the second period rolled on, the Sharks just kept circling, and would once again bring things to a tie with 1:02 left in the period. The tying goal would come from forward Megan Bouveur, who jabbed a loose puck past Hertl after appearing to have it under her glove, sending both teams to the locker rooms tied up at 2-2.

Through the majority of the third period, the score would remain at a 2-2 deadlock. However, as they had done on separate occasions throughout this season, the Ravens were able to avoid extra time and conjure up some late game magic. Upon entry into the offensive zone, graduate Lindsey Dumond (Hampton, N.H.) quickly fed a pass to sophomore Cailey McLaughlin (McLean, Va.) who then dished the puck up to Julia Stevens (Minneapolis, Minn.) at the blue line. From there, Stevens rifled a purposeful shot over the right shoulder of Holm amidst traffic in front, putting Pierce back in the lead, 3-2 with under 2:00 to play. With time of the essence for LIU, the Ravens would hold off their counter attack in the final moments of the third, and hang on for the 3-2 victory.

Jill Hertl (Highland Park, Ill.) earned the win in net for the Ravens (12-9-3), turning aside an impressive 38-of-40 shots faced. Tindra Holm suffered the loss in goal for the Sharks (13-9-3), stopping 11-of-14 shots she faced. The power-play remained red hot for the host Ravens, who finished the day 2-for-2.

The Ravens and Sharks will square off one last time for the NEWHA regular season finale, as the Franklin Pierce will celebrate their graduating seniors tomorrow (2/18) afternoon with a 12 p.m. faceoff at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena.