Herons Top Vikings 4-2 In Conference Opener

SALEM, Mass. –William Smith opened New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) play with a 4-2 win over Salem State in the Vikings' home opener on Friday evening at Rockett Arena. The Herons go to 2-0-1 on the season and 1-0 in the NEHC. The Vikings slip to 0-1 on the year.  

William Smith struck first as Annabel Ziskin (Smithtown, N.Y.) took a shot from just inside the blue line that was tipped past goalie Kaia Hollingsworth (Methuen, Mass.) at 9:30 of the opening period. Abby Stafford (Lynn, Mass.) had Salem State's best scoring opportunity, but her backhander was stopped by Herons' goalie Erin Murray (Hanover, Mass.).

William Smith extended their lead to 2-0 on a Ava Cornforth (Milton, Mass.) power-play goal 2:10 into the second. However, Jessica Robert (North Reading, Mass.) cut the deficit in half as a Herons' turnover led to a shorthanded goal by the senior. Mia Laplante (Framingham, Mass.) made it a two-goal game again in favor of William Smith, going top shelf with 3:44 remaining in the second.

Emily Cataldo (Norwood, Mass.) slipped a pass thru to Mackenzie O'Neil (Wellesley, Mass.) who made it a 4-1 game at 12:44 of the third.  Catherine Lawrence (Guilford, Conn.) added a power play goal for the Vikings to cap the scoring as the Herons held on for a 4-2 victory.

Murray made 25 saves for William Smith in the win. Hollingsworth had 38 stops in net for the Vikings.

The Herons held a 38-25 advantage in shots.