Pilgrims Upend Vikings 7-2

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications  

SALEM, Mass. -- Meadow Glchrist (Stamford, Conn.) scored twice and had an assist to give New England College a 7-2 victory against Salem State in New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) action on Friday night at the Rockett Arena. The Pilgrims improve their record to 5-9, 1-7 and the Vikings drop to 5-9, 2-5.  

The Vikings soon struck first and drew first blood when the Pilgrims turned the puck over, and Deanna Bosco (North Andover, Mass.) was on the right side, heading towards the net. She poked the puck and, which went into the net between the legs of goalie Amy Donnelly (Taunton, Mass.), with Scarlet Chatham (Dallas, Texas) credited for the assist. The time of the goal was 10:08 during the period. 

Salem State's one-goal lead was short-lived as the Pilgrims managed to tie the game thanks to Ak Fuentes' (Aspen, Colo.) shot from the right side that went over Kaia Hollingsworth (Methuen, Mass.) shoulder. The time of the goal was 14:11 of the period.  

Late into the period, New England College was on a power play and they took advantage of it. Kate Devlin (Walpole, Mass.) passed the puck to Samantha Babbitt (Woodstock, Vt.), who was behind the net. Babbitt then passed it to Jordan Pond (Gardner, Mass.), who managed to shoot the puck top shelf  at 17:09.  Babbitt and Devlin were credited with the assists. Just 35 seconds later, the Pilgrims managed to increase their lead when Alexis Hornsby (Atkinson, N.H.) won the faceoff on the left of the Vikings' zone. Meadow Gilchrist (Stamford, Conn.) then scored from the left side, with Olivia Lindberg (Stockholm, Mass.) credited with the assist along with Hornsby. 

Hollingsworth, made a crucial save when Gilchrist passed to Hornsby, preventing the Pilgrims from extending their lead. However, the Vikings managed to make it a one-goal game when Emma Ramsey  (Sioux Falls, S.D.) shot the puck from about 15 feet away from the net, scoring her first career goal.  

The Pilgrims were not deterred and managed to extend their lead just 37 seconds later when Cassie Kelly (Alexandria, Minn.) was one-on-one with the goalie and beat Hollingsworth. Hollingsworth then made three unbelievable saves to keep the scoring at bay after a Viking turnover. Late into the period, Salem State had a few chances to make it a one-goal game again. Despite their efforts, the Vikings found themselves down by two heading into the final 20 minutes of regulation. 

During the third period, New England College displayed their ability by quickly extending their lead to three when Hornby scored a goal on an assist from Gilchrist. The goal was scored just 22 seconds into the period. The Pilgrims then found themselves in a power play opportunity a minute and nine seconds into the period, giving them the opportunity to further widen the gap.  However, the Vikings managed to kill off the power play and prevent any further goals. 

During a Vikings' power play, coach Kizzie made the bold decision to pull Hollingsworth and put an extra skater on the ice, creating a six on four opportunity. Salem State had a few chances to score, but unfortunately, the puck never found its way into the net as they came close on multiple occasions. 

Hollingsworth was pulled off one more time as Mikayla Vincent (Newburyport, Mass.) scored an empty net goal, which was assisted by Gabrielle Iwinski (Batavia, Ill.).  

Late into the period, the Pilgrims were able to win the faceoff on the left side of the Viking zone, leading to Glichirst scoring on an assist from Hornsby and Lindberg tomake the score 7-2. 

Hollingsworth saved 33 of 39 shots while Donnelly saved 24 of 26 shots. 

Salem State is looking to bounce back tomorrow at the Rockett Arena in a New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) afternoon game against #8 Norwich.  Game time is at 3:00 p.m.