COLCHESTER, VT.— Sacred Heart University women's ice hockey was skating again for the first time after 24 days of winter vacation, starting the New Year off with a 4-0 win at Saint Michael's College.

The win improved the Pioneers to 9-12-1 and 8-6-1 in the NEWHA. The Purple Knights fell to 1-14-1, 1-10-1 in the league.

Seven Pioneers tallied a point in the early Tuesday game, with Sydney Antonakis leading the way with a goal and an assist. Delani Mackay added a pair of assists.

Carly Greene got her 13th start of the season between the posts, saving all 14 shots she faced to improve her record to 4-9.

Nicole Bessinger starting the scoring with her second goal on the year 6:38 into the first period. Paige McNeil got her seventh goal on the season with help from Mackay and Olivia LaRoche with just 23 seconds left in the first. Midway through the second period,  Kelly Solak grabbed her fifth goal on the to give the Pioneers a big 3-0 lead. Antonakis scored the last goal with help from Mackay again with three minutes left in the game.


The Pioneers next two games will be in North Easton, Mass. as they face Stonehill College before opening the Martire Family Arena against Harvard Jan. 15.