Markey lifts Seahawks over Pilgrims

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. – Sophomore Sarah Markey's (Ashland, Mass.) last minute goal in the second period proved to be the game-winner as Salve Regina defeated New England College, 4-2, Sunday afternoon at the Portsmouth Abbey.

The Seahawks, who improve to 10-7 on the year and 6-4 in the ECAC East, defeated the Pilgrims for the first time since 2010. Before today's meeting, three of the last four contests between the two teams ended in a tie.

With 5:34 to play in the second period and the Pilgrims up 2-1, sophomore Michaela Chiuccariello (Winchester, Mass.)  found the net for the equalizer on a power play from junior Shannon Coleman (Chicago, Ill.) and Markey. After two quick shots from Markey and Coleman were saved, Markey took control of the puck after Salve Regina won the face off and broke the tie to give SRU a 3-2 lead. Senior Rachel Porter (Franklin, Mass.) and Chiuccariello added assists on the goal.

Porter put the game away with her fourth goal of the season off assists from seniors Kelsey Talty (Fairpoint, N.Y.) and Samantha Zitzer (River Forest, Ill.) with 1:14 to play in regulation.

Sophomore Madyson Moore (Dubuque, Iowa) scored her team-leading seventh goal of the season on the Pilgrims first power play chance of the game. Moore took a pass from seniors Kate Kellar (Chesire, Mass.) and Chelsie Boroski (Sterling Heights, Mich.) after New England won the face off to give NEC a 1-0 lead. Salve Regina answered on its second power play opportunity of the period as Talty used a quick feed from freshman Shelby Johnson (Sterling, Mass.) to even the game at 1-1.

Moore netted her second goal of the game 8:47 into the second period to break the tie and give the Pilgrims their last lead of the game. Moore's eighth-goal of the season came off a feed from junior Alexis Fitzpatrick (Somerville, Mass.) and sophomore Ashley Bonner (Ridgefield, Conn.).

At 14:26, Chiuccariello found her equalizer before Markey sent the game winner home at 19:19 in the period.

Senior goaltender Ali Muehlbronner (Glenside, Pa.) made 14 saves for her 10^th win of the season between the pipes for Salve while senior Kristen Conners (Weymouth, Mass.) made 23 saves in the loss for New England College.

The Seahawks return to action on Friday, January 25 when they travel to Gorham, Maine to face the University of Southern Maine at 4 p.m.