Women's hockey drops 2-1 game at NEC

HENNIKER, N.H.— Marissa Simmons scored just 32 seconds into the game for the Colby College women's hockey team, but the Mules could not manage a goal the rest of the way in a 2-1 loss at New England College on Saturday.

NEC forward Sam Hippern (Dover, N.H.) netted the game-winning goal with 3:48 remaining in the third period.

With the win the Pilgrims improved to 7-3-1 overall, while the loss drops the Mules to 5-8-0 on the season.

Simmons flipped in a shot over the head of NEC goalie Kristen Connors (Weymouth, Mass.) for an unassisted tally.

The Pilgrims evened the game at 1-1 just minutes later as Chelsea Torrico (Mt. Washington, Mass.) knocked in a rebound off a Stephanie Spera (Stoughton, Mass.) shot at the 3:21 mark.

The two teams battled through the entire second period and the majority of the third scoreless before NEC got the final goal.  Hippern converted on a pass from Alyssa Hoot (Waterville, Ohio) with 3:48 remaining in regulation.

Connors had 19 saves for NEC, while Grace Dickinson (Northfield, Ill.) stopped 22 Pilgrim shots.

New England College 2, Colby 1

Colby     1#0#0---1

NEC        1#0#1---2

1^st period

C: Marissa Simmons, :32

NEC: Chelsea Torrico (Stephanie Spera, Sam Hippern), 3:21

3^rd period

NEC: Sam Hippern (Alyssa Hoot, Chelsea Torrico), 16:12

                Shots: Colby 20, NEC 24. Goalies: Grace Dickinson (Colby, 59:05, 2 GA, 22 saves); Kristen Connors (NEC, 60:00, 1 GA, 19 saves).