On Saturday, UNH and Stony Brook, two of the top teams in the America East conference went to battle. Although UNH kept the scoring to a minimum of four goals at the halfway mark, the Seawolves pulled away in latter half of the game and Stony Brook prevailed over the Wildcats by a final score of 11-4.
Both the Wildcats and the Seawolves were at the top of the America East standings at 3-0 going into Saturday’s matchup and the stakes were immensely high to claim the top spot alongside Albany in the conference standings. Stony Brook made its mark early in the contest.
Dorrien Van Dyke and Courtney Murphy gave the Seawolves an early 2-0 lead five minutes into regulation and Stony Brook seized control in the early minutes. However, UNH evened the score quickly. The senior tandem of Nicole Grote and Laura McHoul once again tag-teamed for a tally to cut the deficit in half. Minutes later Krissy Schafer recorded her 22nd goal of the season to even the score at two.
Stony Brook potted two more to regain the two-goal lead at halftime. Despite the score, UNH’s defensive prowess was present against one of the conference’s highest scoring offenses.
UNH forced six Stony Brook turnovers, won the draw control battle 4-3 and only allowed nine shots on goal. UNH took minimal damage through 30 minutes of play.
In the second half, things began to go south for the Wildcats. Nicole Grote tallied her second of the afternoon at 23:17, but that would be all we saw from UNH for a while. The Seawolves went on to score six consecutive goals, as well as force UNH to commit costly turnovers. The Seawolves led 11-3 with 6:34 left in the game. McHoul got on the board to increase her season-leading point total to 42 and the game finished by an 11-4 final score. Stony Brook handed the Wildcats their second-straight loss.
With only two games left, the race to secure a playoff spot is tightening, and UNH’s road does not get easier. The team will welcome the 8-4 Albany Great Danes on Saturday, April 23 to Cowell Stadium. Albany is undefeated in conference play thus far. Last time these two teams played, the Great Danes handed the Wildcats a 15-6 loss at Albany. Saturday’s matchup will begin at 12 p.m.
