PORTSMOUTH, R.I. – Western New England University sophomore Eric Sorenson (Fairport, N.Y.) recorded his first shutout of the season, as the Golden Bears defeated the Salve Regina University men's ice hockey team by a score of 2-0 at the Portsmouth Abbey Ice Rink on Wednesday night. The win improves the Golden Bears to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Northeast, while the Seahawks fall to 3-5 on the season, including a 1-3 mark during conference play.

Western New England jumped out in front early, scoring a power play goal just 2:32 into the opening period, as sophomore Trent Krueger (White Bear Lake, Minn.) redirected a shot from senior Kory Grahl (San Diego, Calif.) into the back of the net for what turned out to be the game winning score.

The two teams were held scoreless over the next 56:49 as junior Mike McDonald (Whitby, Ontario) made 42 saves in net for the Seahawks, while Sorenson stopped 26 shots for Western New England.

The Seahawks had a few opportunities to tie the score, including a point-blank wrist shot by freshman Chad Goodwin (Whitinsville, Mass.) early in the third period, but were unable to get anything past Sorenson.

The Golden Bears eventually sealed the 2-0 victory with an empty net goal scored by freshman Brandon Stroud (Clarksville, Ind.) with just 39 seconds remaining in the final period.

Both teams return to the ice this Saturday, as the Golden Bears host Becker at 7:15 p.m. and the Seahawks travel to face Johnson & Wales (R.I.) at 6 p.m.