MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (Friday, January 17, 2025)-- Samantha McKenzie's two consecutive goals in the first ten minutes of Salve Regina University women's ice hockey action put the Seahawks in the driver's seat right from the beginning in the team's 4-1 victory over fellow NEHC team, Vermont State University Castleton.

Women's ice hockey honored 2013 alum Rachel Porter who was inducted into the Seahawk Athletic Hall of Fame in the fall of 2024. She finished her career as the all-time leader in points with 102. Porter scored 45 goals and assisted on 57 as a defensemen. A twice named captain, Porter also holds the record for most career assists with 57 tallies, and a single season best 33 points, scoring 17 goals and helping on 16 others. Rachel and her class were able to amass 49 wins during her four years at Salve. Individually, she was a two-time first team all-conference selection and a New England Hockey Writers Association all-star at defense.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Salve Regina 4, VTSU Castleton 1
Records: Salve Regina (9-7-0,7-2-0 NEHC), VTSU Castleton (5-9-1,2-6-1 NEHC)
History: Going into the game the Seahawks held a 10-12-2 overall record against the Spartans. Between 2014 and the current season women's ice hockey had a 0-4-1 record against Castleton. The most recent win came in November of 2014 and was a 6-2 success.

NOTEWORTHY

• McKenzie started the show when she tipped in a shot attempt by Jennifer Drevitch from beyond the left attack zone face off circle. She quickly converted again with her sixth goal of the season at the 10:18 mark in the first period. 
• Salve Regina couldn't hold off VTSU completely, because Spartans' Ellie Schliebener was able to find the back of the Seahawk's net 3:35 into period two.
• To secure the win, Gina Richard and Shannon Aube extended the Seahawks from 2-1 to 4-1 in the second period.
• Aube achieved her first NCAA goal as a Seahawk at 16:42 in the second period.
• Taylor Hannafan made 21 saves in net for the Seahawks. Spartans' Gianna McCusker was forced to make 31 saves. Salve Regina's period-high 18 shots on goal came in the first 20 minutes. 

THOUGHTS FROM THE TEAM:
"Scoring my first collegiate goal really means a lot. I'm trying to be a good influence for all the girls back home and show them that they can get onto whatever team they want to as long as they put a lot of hard work into it. That's what happened in this game. Everyone worked really hard and we came out on top." -Shannon Aube '28

ON THE HORIZON
The Seahawks and Spartans face off again tomorrow at the Cabot-Harman Ice Center at 4 p.m, live on FloCollege.