HAMDEN, CT - The Maine Black Bears pushed the #10 Quinnipiac Bobcats right to the final minutes of their season-opener on Friday night at M&T Bank Arena, before the game ended in a 3-2 loss. 

Goaltender Kiia Lahtinen backstopped the Black Bears making 30 saves on 33 shots faced, while Haley Ryan and Gracie Hanson were the goal scorers for Maine. Both goals came in the second period. Sophomore defender Kendall Sundby assisted both goals of the night, while Lila Shea and Raegan Wurm tallied an assist apiece.

Ryan opened the scoring for Maine on a tip in goal, her ninth of her career. Hanson's goal, her second of her career, came on a short-handed breakaway opportunity to tie up the game. 

The Black Bears were 7-for-7 on the penalty kill, and 0-2 on the power play. Stephanie Jacob led Maine with four shots on goal, though the team was outshot 33 to 19 by the Bobcats.

Next Up:
Maine returns for the series finale with #10 Quinnipiac on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 3:00 pm at M&T Bank Arena.

-UMaine-