ORONO, Maine - The University of Maine women's ice hockey team fell to No. 9 Quinnipiac, 2-1, in the season opener on Friday night at Alfond Arena.

The Black Bears (0-1-0) struck first, as freshman Anna Zikova put away her first collegiate goal and Maine's first goal of the season with a pass from freshman Michelle Weiss, 18:23 into the game. Weiss also recorded her first career point on the play. The remainder of the first period stayed quiet.

Quinnipiac (1-0-0) retaliated early in the second, 3:38 into the period, when Abby Cleary tied up the score, 1-1, off passes from Kate MacKenzie and Sarah Eve Coutu-Godbout. Randi Marcon tucked in the eventual game winner for the Bobcats in the final minutes of the second period at 18:13 to take the 2-1 win over Maine. Assists came from Abby Cleary and Raquel Pennoyer.

Maine's goalie, Carly Jackson, stopped 20 shots while Abby Ives grabbed 16 saves on the night for Quinnipiac. Both teams' defenses stood strong on the power play, as the Black Bears went 0-3 and Bobcats were 0-4.

The Black Bears and Bobcats will be back on the ice at the Alfond Arena tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 30 at 3:00 p.m. to finish out their two-game series.

-UMaine-