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ORONO, Maine – The University of Maine women’s ice hockey team returns to Alfond Arena to host Holy Cross on Jan 3. Puck drop is set for 6:00 PM, and the game will air on ESPN+.

BLACK BEARS LAST TIME OUT:


Maine upset #15 ranked Brown University on Tuesday, 3-2, in Portland, Maine.
7 Black Bears notched a point. Isabelle Michaud, Sade Sandilands and Ava Stevenson scored goals while Lila Shea, Raegan Wurm, Mackenzie Podewell and Lulu Rucinski each tallied assists.  
Goaltender Madisyn Ryan got her second career start in goal and picked up her second career win. 
The Black Bears dominated the first two periods holding a 3-0 lead going into the last period before they ran into penalty trouble and Brown was able to sneak in two powerplay goals.

ROOKIES LEAD ON THE SCORESHEET:


Maine’s top three scorers this year are rookies.
Rookie Isabelle Michaud (5g, 4a) leads the team in goals and points so far this season. 
Rookie defenders Paige Fong (1g, 7a) and Lulu Rucinski (2g, 6a) are next in line with eight points apiece.
Rookie Sade Sandilands leads the team with 35 blocked shots. 

MORE ON MAINE:


Tuesday’s game was Maine’s ninth game against a ranked opponent this year, and their second win against a ranked team.
It was the team’s 12th ranked win under Head Coach Molly Engstrom in the past three and a half seasons.
Goaltender Kiia Lahtinen has started 18 of the 20 games for the Black Bears and holds a .922 save percentage.
Maine is currently 8th in the Hockey East standings.

PREVIOUS GAMES WITH HOLY CROSS:    


The Black Bears split with Holy Cross earlier this season on Nov 14/15.
Maine won the first game 2-1, where Lulu Rucinski and Brenna Curl were the goal scorers.
Game two ended in a 3-1 loss for Maine. Lila Shea notched the lone goal. 
Goaltender Kiia Lahtinen started in both games where she made 45 saves on the weekend.

SCOUTING THE CRUSADERS:


Holy Cross is off to a hot start with a 14-6-1, 6-5-1HE record in the first half.
Most recently, Holy Cross swept Vermont on Dec 5/6.
The team has five players with 10 or more points. Rookie Violett Carrol leads the Crusaders with 7 goals and 12 assists for 19 points.
Holy Cross leads the nation with a 93.3% on the penalty kill. 
Holy Cross is receiving votes in both national polls.

-UMaine-