HARRISVILLE, R.I. (Dec. 12) – Sophomore forward Kaleigh Costello scored two goals and added an assist as the New England College women's ice hockey team defeated Nichols, 4-1, in an ECAC East game at June Rockwell Levy Rink Saturday afternoon. The Pilgrims snap a six-game losing streak to improve to 5-7-0 overall and 4-4-0 in conference games, while the Bison close out the first half of the season on a five-game winless streak with a 1-7-1 overall record and a 1-6-1 conference mark.

Costello struck twice in the first period for the Pilgrims, the first coming at 8:16 on NEC's first power play of the game with assists from Katie Palasz and Danielle Taylor. Seven minutes later, she finished a two-on-one with Chelsea Torrico for a two-goal lead. Sam Hippern got the play rolling with a go-ahead pass to Torrico, who carried the puck up the left before passing to Costello at the left post. The sophomore beat Nichols netminder Christine Rigosi (Ridgewood, N.Y.) high above her blocker at 15:06.

Nichols answered back less than a minute later on the power play as Hannah Tardif (Laconia, N.H.) got her stick on a slap shot from the high slot by Ashley O'Donnell (North Scituate, R.I.). First year forward Emily Larosa (Weymouth, Mass.) picked up the second assist with a quick pass to O'Donnell.

The Pilgrims put up a quick score in the second period, lighting the lamp just 26 seconds into the frame. The opening faceoff saw the puck come down into the Bison zone where Rigosi covered the puck. Torrico won the ensuing draw at Rigosi's left to Katie Palasz, who tucked it inside the post for her sixth goal of the season and a 3-1 lead.

Amanda Grenier extended the Pilgrims' lead to three with her first career goal at 15:48 of the second. Danielle O'Leary came up with the puck amidst a sea of bodies at the netftront and touched it to Grenier at the right post for a high shot that went over Rigosi.

The Pilgrims carried a 29-17 shot advantage into the third, but Nichols kept things close in the final period, finishing the game with 22 shots to NEC's 38.

Rigosi made 34 saves, including a solid stop on a breakaway by junior forward Courtney Kerslake late in the second period.  Sophomore Teraysa White made 22 saves for her fifth win of the year.

Nichols is now idle until January 6, 2010, when the Bison host Connecticut College in a 7 p.m. home game. New England College is also off until the New Year, hosting Bowdoin on January 6, 2010, at 3:00 p.m.

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