The Sacred Heart University women's ice hockey team dropped a hard-fought 3-2 decision to visiting Saint Anselm on Sunday afternoon at the Rinks at Shelton. The loss drops the Pioneers to 3-5-2 on the season, while the Hawks improve to 9-1 on the year.

Most of the scoring came in the final portion of the third period, with the Hawks leading 2-1 after an Alison Quinn goal midway in the period.  Casey Stathopoulos scored her second unassisted tally of the game with 3:38 to play, knotting the score.  Saint Anselm took only 26 seconds to answer with the game-winning tally, as Alison Butler won a face-off and found the upper corner of the net.

The Hawks scored first with an even-strength goal by Alex Starzyk 8:34 into the first stanza.  The score would remain 1-0 in favor of the Hawks until Stathopoulos put the puck inside the near post with 3:39 to play in the second period for a power play tally.

Pioneer goalie Amanda Fontaine made 45 saves in her effort in net.  She stopped 19 shots in the first period, with 17 saves in the second period.  Hannah Synnott made 11 saves, five in the first, to earn the win for Saint Anselm.

The Hawks outshot SHU 48-13 on the afternoon, with a 20-5 edge in the first period.  Saint Anselm won 29 face-offs, with 12 victories being credited to Alison Butler.

The Pioneers will play on the road four times this week, beginning with two games at Southern Maine on Tuesday and Wednesday.