FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Sacred Heart women's hockey team will play for the NEWHA championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Goalie
Carly Greene made 50 saves to post her second playoff shutout this year as the Pioneers blanked Saint Anselm 3-0 in a semifinal game at Martire Family Arena. Goals from
Bria Holm,
Sami Bowlby and
Grayson Limke led the SHU offense.
Sacred Heart meets LIU in the title game on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Northwell Health Ice Center on Long Island. The Sharks, the top seed, knocked off Post 2-0 on Wednesday afternoon.
RECORDS
Saint Anselm: 12-19-7
Sacred Heart: 20-14-3
SHU SCORING
Sami Bowlby (1 goal)
Bria Holm (1 goal)
Grayson Limke (1 goal)
Olivia LaRoche (1 assist)
Kate Helgeson (1 assist)
Kailey Smith (1 assist)
Alyssa Antonakis (1 assist)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The power play once again played a big role in the victory. Bowlby and Limke's goals both came while the Pioneers had an extra attacker.
• Saint Anselm had 20 shots on goal in the first period, but it was Sacred Heart that scored the only goal.
Isabella Chaput swept the puck forward in front of SHU's goal to Holm, who raced nearly the length of the ice and went top corner at 14:34.
• The lead grew to 2-0 midway through the second period.
Olivia LaRoche fired a shot from the point that was stopped, but Bowlby stuffed home the rebound at 11:22.
• The final goal came early in the third period.
Kailey Smith started the play with a shot from the point.
Alyssa Antonakis then slid the puck across the crease to Linke, who banged it in.
NOTES
• The Pioneers have scored five power play goals in their three NEWHA playoff games. Entering the tournament, they had gone seven games without a power play goal.
• Sacred Heart finished 2-of-3 on the power play, while Saint Anselm of 0-of-2.
• Greene, who leads the nation in save percentage, posted her sixth shutout of the season and 11th of her career. In the three playoff games, she has stopped 114 of 116 shots.
• In its three playoff games, SHU has outscored its opponents 10-2.
• The Pioneers have won their last five games at Martire Family Arena.
• Nine different Pioneers have scored in the three playoff games. Only Limke (2) and Bowlby (2) have multiple goals.
• Sacred Heart is seeking its second NEWHA Tournament championship. The Pioneers won the very first tournament back in 2018. Sacred Heart has never appeared in the NCAA Tournament.
WHAT'S NEXT
Saturday's championship game will be streamed on ESPN+. The opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m.
