SHELTON, Conn. – Head Coach Brandon Brown, a 2022 graduate of Post University, earned his first collegiate win at the helm of the Post University Women's Ice Hockey program as the Eagles won their first game of the season, 3-2, over Franklin Pierce University at home on Friday afternoon in the Sports Center of Connecticut.

Behind the first collegiate goals of freshman forward Georgia Stevens, who had a multi-point game, and freshman defenseman Lily Zohner, the Eagles scored three unanswered goals after the Ravens took the lead early in the first period, en route to the victory.

THE BASICS

Post University 3, Franklin Pierce University 2

Post University (1-6-1, 1-2-1 NEWHA)

Franklin Pierce University (2-4-0, 2-2-0 NEWHA)

HOW IT HAPPENED
For over 10 minutes of action in the first, Post would not have a single shot attempt across a period of play that saw just six faceoffs across that same span. Freshman forward McKenzie Grimm tipped in her first collegiate goal from sophomore forward Hailey Anderson and freshman forward Addison Andre in front of senior goalie Hannah Saunders, 6:21 into the game, giving the Ravens an early one-goal lead.

But despite the first 10 minutes without a shot, the Eagles would close the gap with 15 shots in the back half of the period, seven of which reached senior goalie Jill Hertl. Senior forward Rylee Patfield scored for the first time in 58 games, cleaning up a loose puck from Stevens and junior forward Jodie Rose with the first winding down, tying the game at one all heading into the second.

Stevens would go on to net her first collegiate goal in the second period as a shot into the crease by freshman defenseman Tallulah Cameron from the blue line following a pass from junior forward Noa Farberman ricocheted off her stick and by Hertl for the go-ahead goal only 1:28 into the frame. Leading 2-1 in the second, it was the first time this season that Post had the lead in a game, one they would hold into the third after killing off a late power play for the Ravens.

Breaking another streak in which they were 0-for-25 on the power play to start the season, including 0-for-2 heading into the third period, Zohner would earn her first collegiate goal as well for the Eagles on a high shot from the point after a few attempts down low by both senior forward Maddy Noonan and sophomore defenseman Caryss Kehl, extending Post's lead to two goals, 3-1. The score came during a 5-on-3 for the Eagles with only 7:10 remaining in regulation. 

The stretch of three unanswered goals would come to an end inside of the three-minute mark, with Hertl going to the bench for the extra attacker as freshman forward Addison Andre ripped a shot in front of the senior with 2:57 left on the clock, cutting Post's lead to one, 3-2. Once again pulling Hertl for the extra attacker, the Ravens would end going on a 6-on-4 advantage with 1:11 left as junior forward Celena Mickevicius was hit with a tripping penalty, but after a few saves from Saunders, a critical penalty to freshman defenseman Melanie Targosz would wipe out the advantage with 12 seconds left, forcing Hertl back onto the ice, as the Eagles were able to hold the puck on the offensive side of the ice and come away with the 3-2 win, 

BY THE NUMBERS

• Georgia Stevens finished the game with her first collegiate goal and assist, recording the first multi-point outing of her career as she finished with that goal, an assist, and two points
• Rylee Patfield's first-period goal marked the first time in 58 games that she has scored a goal – Patfield's last goal came against Saint Michael's College back on January 12th, 2024, in a 4-2 win for Post University
• Brandon Brown earns his first collegiate win as a head coach with the 2-1 victory for Post University – Brown is a 2022 graduate of the institution and spent the previous three seasons as an Assistant Men's Ice Hockey Coach at Post
• Post University was 1-for-4 on the power play this afternoon, snapping a 0-for-25 start to the season when they have a man-up advantage

WHO'S NEXT
Post University enters its final two non-conference games of the season next weekend as it takes on Holy Cross in a home-and-home on Friday and Sunday. Playing on the road on Friday, puck drop for the first-ever matchup between the two programs is set for 7:00 PM.