Southern Maine Edges Salem State 2-1 on Senior Night

SALEM, Mass. -- Madelyn McLeish's third period goal proved to be the difference as Southern Maine came back with two third period scores to defeat Salem State, 2-1 on "Senior Night" in an NEHC clash at Rockett Arena on Friday evening. The Huskies up their record to 13-10-1 and 11-5-1 in conference. The Vikings lose their final regular season home game to go to 5-15-2 and 2-13-2 in the league.

Seniors Jessica Robert (North Reading, Mass.), Kayla McKim (Wakefield, Mass), Alexis Thomas (Barnstable, Mass.), Gianna Beauclair (Stoneham, Mass.), Carolyn Mahoney (Melrose, Mass.), MacKenzie Mallett (York, Maine), Isabella Perrotti (Winthrop, Mass.), Abby Stafford (Lynn, Mass.), Kendra Currier (Middleton, Mass.), Hannah Aveni (Melrose, Mass.) and Dana Smullen (Peabody, Mass.) were honored in a pre-game ceremony for their dedication and commitment to the Vikings' program.    

Salem State nearly doubled the offensive production of Southern Maine in the first period, outshooting the Huskies, 11-6. However, the game remained scoreless heading into the second. A misplay by Southern Maine's defense led to the first goal of the game with Makayla McGrath the beneficiary of a Huskies's defender knocking a loose puck into her own net at the 7:18 mark of the second.  

Trailing 1-0 in the third, the Huskies while on a penalty-kill, took advantage of a turnover deep in Salem State's end. Maddy Young found Madison Chagnon, who converted the shorthanded goal, tying the game, 1-1 at 3:19 of the third. Just over a minute later, Jess Maclean found McLeish on breakaway, which the sophomore converted, ripping a shot past goalie Dana Smullen, giving the Huskies a 2-1 lead. 

Meanwhile, goalie Haley McKim after the misplay in the second, kept the Vikings off the scoreboard, stopping 33 shots to earn the win. Dana Smullen made 25 saves in the loss. Salem State outshot Southern Maine 34-27 for the game.