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 Melissa Boal's two goals helped WSU nip Maine 4-3 to complete the series sweep |
Jan. 12, 2008
DETROIT - The Wayne State University women's hockey team held off Maine, 4-3, to complete the series sweep Saturday afternoon at the City Sports Center. Junior Melissa Boal (Pakenham, Ont./Ottawa Radiers) lead WSU with two goals while junior Sam Poyton (Hamilton, Ont./Stoney Creek Sabres) tallied the game-winning goal in the third period.
WSU in now 10-6-2 on the year while Maine falls to 1-18-2. For the second straight game WSU tallied 39 shots but special teams proved to be the difference as the Warriors scored two power-play goals, including the game-winner, and went 4-for-12 in the series with a man advantage.
Lindsay DiPietro (Manotick, Ont./Ottawa Lady Senators) added a goal and assist while Chelsea Burnett (Ridgeway, Ont./Stoney Creek Sabres) tallied two assists.
Jenna Ouellette led Maine with a goal and assist.
Between the pipes, senior Valery Turcotte (Jonquiere, Quebec/Royal Metabetchouan) picked up her fifth win of the season making 21 saves. Maine's Sarah Bishop stopped 35 shots in the losing effort.
WSU jumped to a quick 2-0 lead near the end of the first period. DiPietro scored on a shot from the point on a feed from Poyton and Burnett for a power-play goal. Boal added a goal ripping a shot from the right side on a pass from Burnett at the 2:21 mark.
Maine cut the lead in half at 2-1 as Ouellette connected on a power-play goal from Robyn Law in the second period.
In the third, Boal tallied her second goal of the game on a feed from DiPietro giving WSU a 3-1 lead. The Warriors would take a commanding 4-1 lead as Poyton added an unassisted marker at the 5:20 mark. However, Maine would not give up and responded with a goal by Jennie Gallo from Law and Courtney Fox just 19 seconds later. Elyce Thomas pulled the Black Bears within one, 4-3, with a goal from Ouellette at the 2:08 mark.
WSU took a holding penalty with just 1:44 remaining in the game. Maine pulled the goalie in favor of the extra skater for a 6-on-4 power-play advantage. With just three seconds left in the game, the Warriors took another penalty giving the Black Bears a 6-on-3 man advantage but the Warrior penalty killing unit was able to prevent the equalizer as Maine was not able to win a clean draw on two face-offs before time expired.
Wayne State concludes its six-game home stand with a series against Quinnipiac Friday and Saturday Jan.18-19. The first game will be part of part of a double-header with the WSU men's team and will be played at the Taylor SportsPlex at 3:30 p.m. in Taylor, Mich. Game two is at 2:00 p.m. and will be played at the City Sports Center.