Box Score HARRISVILLE, R.I. (Dec. 10) – The Nichols College women's ice hockey team was shutout by the Neumann University Knights, 5-0, Friday night at the June Rockwell Levy Rink. Bison graduate student Melissa Mansfield (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) got her first start in goal for the season and made 40 saves during the game.

The Bison had a chance to get on the scoreboard first as nine minutes into the period juniors Hannah Tardif (Laconia, N.H.) and Mandy Manopla (West Palm Beach, Fla.) found themselves on a two on one, but Tardif's shot was turned away by Knights' sophomore goalie Shannon Donnelly.

Neumann took the lead just under a minute later when junior Diane Peters threw the puck towards the net from the left boards and was deflected in off a Nichols defenseman's stick. The Knights made the score 2-0 at 14:34 in the first when senior Jessica Schroeder brought the puck into the zone along the left side and made a deke, beating Mansfield low on the glove side. Neumann outshot Nichols 21-6 in the first period and each team was scoreless in two power-play chances.

The Knights wasted no time scoring their third goal as sophomore Lynsey Nakamura carried the puck into the offensive zone and picked the top corner stick side from the middle of the circle. Nichols skated with Neumann the entire period as the shots remained close, with Neumann firing off 10 shots to Nichols nine. With 2:03 remaining, Neumann was penalized for tripping. However, Nichols could not capitalize as the period came to an end with the Knights leading 3-0.

Neumann stretched the score to 4-0, 1:55 into the third period. First year Edie Brenning shot the puck from the slot and junior Jennie Greenlee picked up the rebound and poked it in. 10 minutes later Neumann put the game out of reach with their fifth goal. Senior Stephanie Nakamura shot the puck from the point, which was saved and deflected to junior Khristine Acosta at the left post who shot it top shelf.

The final score would hold at 5-0 in favor of Neumann as the Knights improved their record to 5-4-1. Nichols dropped to 2-8-0 with the loss. Donnelly improved her record to 5-2-1 as she posted a shutout saving 21 shots.

Neumann outshot Nichols 45-21 in the game. Both teams committed four penalties and had four power-plays. The Knights capitalized on one while Nichols could not take advantage of any of their four.

Nichols is off until 2011 when they travel to Connecticut College on January 4th at 7:00 PM. Neumann travels to Connecticut College tomorrow for a 3:00 p.m. tilt.

Box Score