ORONO, Maine - Sophomore Makenna Thomas scored the eventual game-winning goal in the second period to help the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's hockey team to a 3-1 win over the University of Maine, on Saturday in the season opener for both teams.

The game was scoreless after a first period where both goalies saw work, as the two teams combined for a total of 16 shots on goal. The second period opened with a quick goal from Freshman Kara Washer, 17 seconds into the period, giving Maine a 1-0 lead.

The lead lasted less than 30 seconds as RPI marched right back and answered on senior Laura Horwood's first of the season. scored 40. Freshman Blake Orosz picked up the assist for her first collegiate point. RPI added another goal later in the period by Thomas, with assists to Ana Orzechowski at 7:45 of the 2nd period.

In the third period Maine itself defending a 5-on-3 penalty mid-way through the third period, when senior Hannah Behounek, deked her way into the zone and tallied for a 3-1 lead. Assists went to Horwood and sophomore Josefine Hansen.

RPI Goaltender Lovisa Selander stopped 25 of 26 shots faced and gets the first win of the season. Across the ice, freshman Goaltender Carly Jackson had saves on 29 shots on goal.

The two teams go back at it tomorrow afternoon at 2pm.