Seahawks double-up Blazers, 6-3

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Junior Rachel Porter (Franklin, Mass.) led all players with three points on two goals and an assist, including the game-winning score, as the Salve Regina University women's ice hockey began 2011 with a 6-3 victory over the College of Saint Benedict in Manchester, N.H. on Friday evening. The win improves the Seahawks to 4-3-2 on the year, while the Blazers fall to 3-6-2 overall.

Porter paced the Seahawks with her three-point performance, while freshman Sarah Markey (Ashland, Mass.) contributed a pair of goals and freshman Michaela Chiuccariello (Winchester, Mass.) dished-out two assists. Senior Jen Thiesing (Sandwich, Mass.) and junior Samantha Zitzer (River Forest, Ill.) each contributed one goal apiece, while sophomore Monika Borkowski (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and junior Sarah McCusker (Havertown, Pa.) both earned an assist in the win. Junior Ali Muehlbronner (Glenside, Pa.) made 19 saves to earn the victory in net for the Seahawks, evening her record to 1-1 on the year.

Thiesing got the Seahawks on the board early, scoring the game's opening goal after just 17 seconds of play.

After the Blazers tied the score at 1-all, the Seahawks reclaimed the lead on the first of Markey's two goals on the day.

Salve Regina appeared to be heading into the intermission holding a 2-1 advantage, however the Blazers scored with just six seconds remaining in the opening period to tie the score, 2-2.

The Seahawks took control of the contest in the second period, outshooting Saint Benedict 14-8 while receiving goals from both Markey and Porter to build a 4-2 lead.

Porter scored with just under six minutes remaining in the third period to give Salve Regina a rather comfortable 5-2 lead.

After the Blazers closed the gap to 5-3 with 1:10 left on the clock, McCusker sealed the 6-3 victory with an empty net goal.

The Seahawks will return to the ice on Saturday to face St. Scholastica at 1 p.m. in Manchester, N.H.