BIDDEFORD — Tatum Gietl scored a hat trick to power the University of New England women’s ice hockey team to a 7-1 victory over Saint Michael’s College on Friday night at Harold Alfond Forum.
The win upped the Nor’easters record to 8-1-1, while the Purple Knights slipped to 4-5.
Saint Michael’s scored the first goal of the contest on a power play. At the 9:43 mark, Madison Nichols scored the Purple Knight’s lone goal.
“I think we knew that when we started the game, we weren’t really playing our true game. We ended up having a little conversation in the locker room. They talked to themselves and realized they have to step it up and they’re playing against themselves,” said UNE head coach David Venditti. “That’s something that we talk about every day. We’re competing against ourselves not our opponent.”
The Nor’easters would quickly turn the tide.
Two minutes later, Julianna Sheehan assisted by Jenna Pych would score and tie the game 1-1.
Gietl opened the second period with a pair of goals to gain a lead for the Nor’easters that they would never relinquish.
“(Gietl’s) a very smart player. She definitely has a scoring touch and has been an important part of our program since she got here. She just sees the ice well and has good hands and utilized that to finish it off,” said Venditti.
In the third period, UNE scored four times to cement the triumph.
With 17:57 left in the contest, Ally Frechette scored with an assist from Katie Babineau and Pych.
At the 6:07 mark, Gietl completed her hat trick with help from Kyra Yu.
With 8:28 left in the competition, Bella Crugnale would score, but the goal would be recalled because play was called dead before the puck slipped into the net. Seven seconds later, Crugnale would score again with a goal that would light up the scoreboard.
Marykate Drinkwater would score the last goal of the game on a power play to produce the final 7-1 score.
“I feel we all played really well. We played well as a team. Overall, any of the goals were due to other players helping each other out,” said Venditti.
Nor’easter goaltender Julia Benjamin collected a win with a 10-save performance. Saint Michael’s Nicole Talcott had 38 stops in nearly 52 minutes of action before being relieved by Alyssa Cimino, who came on to make five saves.
“I feel they definitely stuck to our game plan, which was really just trying to open up the game. Play fast, move the puck as much as possible and just be patient with the scoring opportunities,” said Venditti.
UNE will host Saint Michael’s again tonight — and the Nor’easters know they have to turn the page.
“We’re going to go into it and it’s going to be 0-0. We’re not even going to look at us winning tonight. We’re going to enjoy it tonight but when tomorrow morning comes it’s a whole new day,” said Venditti.
— Sports Writer Sienna Barstow can be reached at sbarstow@journaltribune.comor at 780-9018. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.