The Saint Anselm women’s hockey team’s 2017-2018 campaign came to an end on Feb. 25, as the team fell to Sacred Heart University, 3-1.

The Hawks brought the game to within one in the third period, but the third seeded Sacred Heart would hold on to win the New England Women’s Hockey Alliance Tournament, 3-1.

In the semi-final game of the tournament, the Hawks defeated Franklin Pierce, 7-1. Sophomore defenseman Haley Marshall racked a career high four points, with two goals and two assists in the win.

Saint Anselm was the top seeded team in the tournament, dominating the fourth seeded Franklin Pierce Ravens. The team scored four goals in the first period and never looked back. Sophomore goalie Michaela Kane recorded 27 saves, extending her record to 8-1-1.

The teams went back and forth in the first, remaining scoreless through the first 14 minutes of the game. However, the Pioneers netted their first goal at 5:58. Sacred Heart outshot the Hawks 15-4 in the period, but strong defensive play from the defense and Kane kept the game to within one.

Sacred Heart extended their lead to two early in the second, taking a 2-0 lead heading into the third. The Hawks rallied in the third, outshooting Sacred Heart 17-4 in the frame. The Hawks brought the game to within one with 8:27 left in the game, coming off the stick of Kaley Campbell for her 12th goal of the season. Spillane slid the puck to Boyer, who rifled a shot that Campbell rebounded for the score. Minutes later, Megan Kalus fired a shot off the crossbar, inches from tying the game. With 1:30 remaining in the game, Saint Anselm held a 6-4 advantage after going on the power-play and pulling Kane. However, Sacred Heart would win the face off and fire the puck the length of the ice into the empty net for the game-sealing goal.

The team finished the year with a record of 21-4-4. The Hawks averaged 3.66 goals per game, while scoring 106 goals throughout the season. Goalkeepers Michaela Kane, Maddie Scavotto, and Logan Knip had a combined 469 saves, averaging only 1.06 goals allowed per game. Katy Meehan was a two-time NEWHA Rookie of the Week, and was selected as Co NEWHA Rookie of the Year.

This was the final contest for seniors Jackie Guy, Ashley Morgan, Kaitlyn Spillane, Paige Gorecki and Samantha Boyer. The five skaters brought the Hawks to three-straight 20 win seasons, with 82 total team victories in their four years on the Hilltop. The class combined for 253 total points and a plus-minus rating of 227. Spillane’s 97 career points are tied for ninth all time in Saint Anselm program history and 43 career goals are the 10th most in school history.