GORHAM, MAINE - Freshman Molly Jones (Golden, Colo.) scored the game-winning goal Friday night, lifting the Pilgrims to a 2-1 victory over the Huskies. With the win, NEC earned its third conference victory of the season. 

The teams battled in the opening period as the Huskies tested the 'Grims defense with a series of shots that were all stopped by sophomore goaltender Kayden Lallier Whissell (Stevensville, Ont.)  The teams earned late power-play opportunities, but neither was able to convert, sending the game into the first intermission tied 0-0, as USM held a 17-2 shots on goal advantage.  

The Pilgrims tested the Huskies' defense with shots from junior Sofia Gualtieri (Montreal, Que.) and sophomore Angelina De Divitiis (St. Catherines, Ont.)  that were stopped by the USM defense. The Huskies responded with a flurry of shots that were saved by Lallier-Whissell. Audrey Donahue broke the deadlock at the 10:43 mark, giving USM a 1-0 lead. The Huskies continued to apply offensive pressure, but the shots were blocked by freshman Carol Lenig (El Paso, Tex.) and senior Gina Sciortino (Billerica, Mass.)  as USM carried the one-goal advantage into the second intermission. 

USM opened the final period by testing the Pilgrims' defense, but NEC denied the Huskies' quality shots. During an early power-play opportunity, the Pilgrims pulled the goalie, and junior Alexis Hornsby (Atkinson, N.H.)  scored to tie the game at 1-1, with assists from junior Mae Lafferty (South Boston, Mass.) and senior Jordan Pond (Gardner, Mass.). USM continued to generate shots late in the period, but the 'Grims defense stood strong. Lafferty and Pond later connected with Jones, who fired the puck past the Huskies goaltender at the 14:15 mark to give NEC a 2-1 lead. USM pressed for the equalizer, but Lallier Whissell made key saves down the stretch as the Pilgrims secured the 2-1 victory. 

Hornsby and Jones each tallied a goal in the victory while Lafferty and Pond recorded two assists apiece. Freshman Pnina Basov (Ma'alot, Israel) and Lenig led the defense with three blocked shots each. Lallier-Whissell was a force in net, finishing the night with 45 saves. 

The Pilgrims look to keep rolling as they return to the USM Ice Arena for another contest with the Huskies, this time set for 1:00 PM. 

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