Highlights

TROY, N.Y. – Sophomore Ebba Strandberg recorded a goal and an assist to lead the University of Maine women's hockey team to a 3-2 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), in non-league action at the Houston Field House on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Black Bears improve to 3-1 overall, while the Engineers drop to 0-4.

Strandberg (Kalmar, Sweden/Modo Hockey) helped get the scoring started at 5:50 of the first period, when set up Maine's first goal on the day. She sent pass up the right wing boards for senior Catherine Tufts (Church Point, NS/Ontario Hockey Academy), who found sophomore Jessica Jacques (North Reading, MA/Boston Shamrocks) cutting to the net for her first of the year.

RPI drew even less than two minutes later, as senior Marisa Raspa (Downington, PA/North American Hockey Academy) tipped in her first of the season off a shot from the blue line by freshman Medeleine Burnett (London, ON/Bluewater Hawks). The goal was scored with junior netminder Lovisa Selander (Sollentuna, Sweden/SDE Riksserien) was off on a delayed Maine penalty.

The Black Bears regained the lead at 14:22 of the first period on Strandberg's first collegiate goal. Working a give-and-go with classmate Tereza Vansova (Strakonice, Czech Republic), Strandberg moved the puck from her backhand to her forehand, before tucking away the go-ahead tally.

Following a scoreless second period in which Maine outshot RPI, 11-9, it was the Engineers who scored first in the third. Senior captain Shayna Tomlinson (Gilford, NH/Assabet Valley) found sophomore Sabrina Repaci (Toronto, ON/Toronto Jr. Aeros) right between the circles to tie the game at 2-2.

Maine broke the tie at 13:24 of the final period, when sophomore Lydia Murray (Sault Ste. Marie, ON/St. Mary's College Prep) claimed a rebound at the edge of the RPI crease and flipped it home. Helpers went to junior Cailey Hutchison (Hicksville, NY/Northwood School) and Vanisova.

Selander finished with 28 saves for the Engineers, while Black Bears sophomore goaltender Carly Jackson (Amherst, NS/Cumberland Blues Jr. B) had 20 stops.

Rensselaer is back on the ice next weekend when it travels to RIT for a two-game series, beginning on Friday afternoon (4:05pm). Maine hosts Robert Morris for two on Friday (7pm) and Saturday (1pm).