NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – The New England College women's ice hockey team fell in their season opener against the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in nonconference action on Friday evening at the Peter W. Foote Memorial Rink in North Adams, Massachusetts. 

THE BASICS 
Score: New England College 1, MCLA 4 
Records: Pilgrims 0-1 | Trailblazers 1-0 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Midway through the opening period, MCLA caused a turnover leading to a two-on-one fast break; Alexandrea Bednar (Vita, Man.) opted to keep the puck herself and snuck a shot past the NEC goaltender to put the Trailblazers up 1-0 at the 10:16 mark in the 1st. 
• MCLA would grow their lead to 3-0 in the early minutes of the second period, with both goals being scored by Carlen Bertrand (Timmins, Ont.). Her first came on a power play opportunity 3:34 into the second, and her second came 5:47 into the period.  
• With 7:33 left in the second period, NEC would get on the board with the team's first goal of the season coming from sophomore defender Mae Lafferty (South Boston, Mass.). Lafferty sent a long-range snipe shot into the top right corner of the opposition's net, with the assists being credited to freshman forward Jamie Blondin (Oakville, Ontario) and junior forward Olivia Lindberg (Stockholm, Sweden). 
• A little under four minutes later, MCLA would strike again on a breakaway goal from Maggie Danchak (Chalfont, Pa.). The hosts would take a 4-1 advantage and would hold onto that score through the final horn.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• MCLA goaltender Kaitlyn O'Brien (Ridley Park, Pa.) racked up 46 saves on the night. 
• NEC sophomore goaltender Amy Donnelly (Taunton, Mass) made 19 saves in net. 
• Shots on goal were a lopsided 47-23 in favor of the 'Grims. MCLA also blocked 18 shots to NEC's five. The offensive opportunities were there for the Pilgrims, but the Trailblazers were able to limit the damage. 
• Faceoffs won were very even between the two teams, with MCLA just edging out NEC 31-30. 
• Lafferty's second period goal was the first of her collegiate career. 

UP NEXT 

• NEC and MCLA are back on the ice tomorrow for a rematch in Henniker at 4:00 PM at the Lee Clement Arena. 

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.