HARRISVILLE, R.I. (Nov. 6) – The Salve Regina University women's ice hockey team scored three unanswered power-play goals to top Nichols College in the ECAC East opener for both teams Friday evening at June Rockwell Levy Rink. The Seahawks improve to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in conference action while the Bison stand at 0-1 on the year.

Junior forward Molly Golden and sophomore forward Drew Chernisky each had a goal and an assist for Salve Regina, while sophomore forward Kathleen Roche picked up the other power-play marker.

Haylie Carter (Forney, Texas) broke the scoreless tie at 4:32 of the second frame, redirecting a swipe across the netfront from Hannah Tardif (Laconia, N.H.).

The Seahawks answered back just over three minutes later on their first shot of the period as Roche wound up and let loose a slapshot from the blueline that clanged off the crossbar and left post past the blocker of Nichols first year netminder Melanie Spears (Woburn, Mass.).

Shannon Ellis set up the Seahawks' go-ahead goal with a shot from the right side that Spears got a piece of, but Chernisky tipped across the crease to Golden who potted her first of the game at 12:35 of the middle stanza.

Nichols fought off a five-on-three Salve Regina advantage midway through the third, but another Seahawks' power play proved costly as this time Chernisky put in a rebound from Golden and Ellis that had rattled out in front of the net with less than seven minutes to go.

Sydney Gilbert (Portage la Prairie, Manitoba) had a great chance for the Bison with just under five minutes left as she picked off a Seahawks d-to-d pass in the neutral zone before tracking in on Salve Regina netminder Ali Muehlbronner unopposed. Muehlbronner came up big with a glove save at the near post as Gilbert tried to wrist it past.

Muehlbronner improves to 2-0 with 18 saves, while Spears shouldered the loss with 35 in her collegiate debut.

Salve Regina finished the night 3-for-7 with the man advantage, while Nichols could not convert in four opportunities.

The Bison wrap up their homestand on Friday, November 13 in a 7:30 p.m. ECAC East game against UMass Boston before hitting the road for a six-game road trip. The Seahawks take on Holy Cross in Worcester on Saturday, November 7 in a 2 p.m. ECAC East game. 

Box Score