Box Score HARRISVILLE, R.I. (Nov. 13) – The Nichols College women's hockey team had a dramatic 3-2, comeback win over Sacred Heart University Saturday night at Levy Rink. First year goalie Francesca Palazzo (Bernardston, Mass.) held Nichols in the entire game stopping nearly everything that came her way. Junior Krista-Jean Forand (Plymouth, Mass.) scored the winning goal at 2:31 of overtime to give Nichols the 3-2 victory.

The Pioneers kept the pressure on the Bison throughout the first period. They outshot the Bison 24-5 in the period. Nichols College's first year forward, Megan Gerein (Dubuque, Iowa) had a few great chances, finding herself on a couple breakaways in the first. The first time she was denied of the goal and the lead by Sacred Heart's goalie and the second time she was denied by the post. The first period ended with the score at 0-0.

The stalemate continued into the second period as first year goalie Palazzo stood on her head saving all 19 shots she faced, for a two-period total of 43. First year goalie for the Pioneers Alexius Schutt also played very well, shutting Nichols down until sophomore Emily Larosa (Weymouth, Mass.) received a pass from junior Courtney Carey (Belmont, Mass.) to break away from the Pioneers defense and put a move on the goalie to find the back of the net. Although Nichols was being outshot 43-13 through two periods, they held a 1-0 lead heading into the third.

Sacred Heart tied it up the game in the third period when they found themselves on a 5-3 power play. Senior Brittany Hartman scored after a scrum in front of the net with 10:30 left in the third period. The Pioneers took the lead 53 seconds later on a 5-on-4 power play, when junior Tara Kent scored on a wrap around shot.

It looked as if the Pioneers were going home with their second victory, but with the Nichols' goaltender pulled, and only 15 seconds left in the game sophomore Mary Fehr (Leamington, Ontario) tipped in a shot from first year Bridget Griffin (Wilmington, Mass.) to tie the game and send it to overtime.

Halfway through the five minute overtime period the game was ended on a breakaway goal from Forand that went past the goalies low blocker side.

Sacred Heart outshot Nichols 70-20 in the game and went 2-for-5 on the power play as Nichols went 0-for-2. Palazzo picked up her first win, stopping 68 shots, putting her record at 1-2-0. Schutt got the loss dropping to 1-8-0 on the year.

Nichols is at Salve Regina University on Friday November 19th at 7:00 PM for their next game while Sacred Heart travels to Quinnipiac on November 26th for a 4:00 PM start for their next game.

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