RELEASE COURTESY OF LIU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
MANCHESTER, N.H.- The Long Island University women's ice hockey team completed the upset, ending the No. 1 seed Sacred Heart University's 13 game win streak and knocking off the regular season champions, 3-0 in the New England Women's Hockey Alliance semifinal game on Saturday afternoon. The Sharks move on and will compete for the title in the championship game tomorrow.
It took just one minute for the Blue and Gold to strike, as Paula Bergström fired home a shot from the point to give the Sharks an early lead, and one they would not let up for the remainder of the game.
The Pioneers had a one-on-one opportunity mid-way through the first, but Harmison stepped up to make the save. Sacred Heart continued to test Harmison on their first power play opportunity of the day. Although they fired off seven shots, Harmison did not allow them to get one passed her.
The Pioneers had another power play opportunity towards the end of the first period. As soon as the player up advantage ended for Sacred Heart, Renee Hoffmann brought the puck into the and scored to extend the lead to two-goals right before the first intermission.
The Pioneers came onto the ice strong to start the second period, firing off six shots, all of which Harmison saved. After some back and forth action, Carrigan Umpherville added an insurance goal to extend to the Sharks' lead. Renee Hoffmann got the puck on a turnover and brought it into the offensive zone, where she faked the shot and left the puck for Umpherville, who sent a beautiful backhanded shot passed the Pioneers goaltender.
Harmison had herself a day, as she was perfect in the net for her second straight shutout on top of making a career-high 41 saves.
Hoffmann and Umpherville both finished with two points behind a goal and an assist. Matilda af Bjur also had an assist.
The Sharks move on to the NEWHA finals tomorrow, Sunday February 23, and will take on the winner of the second semifinal game between Saint Anselm and Franklin Pierce. Puck drop in the title game is set for 4:00 p.m. at Sullivan Arena.