University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
17-3-2, 10-1-1
Maine
8-13-2, 4-7-2
No. 5 Huskies Win 5th Straight, Sweep Series at Maine
1/10/2026 7:20:00 PM | Women's Ice Hockey
ORONO, Maine – No. 5 UConn women's hockey defeated the Maine Black Bears, 4-3 on Saturday afternoon at Alfond Arena. The victory marked UConn's fifth consecutive win, and its fourth Hockey East weekend sweep this season, improving the Huskies to 10-1-1 in conference play and 17-3-2 overall.
UConn goaltender Tia Chan made 32 saves in the win, her 12th 30+ save performance this season.
The first period began with UConn gaining control on the opening faceoff, but Maine struck first with the game's opening goal 12 minutes into the game, giving the Black Bears a 1-0 lead. The Huskies fought back with Sadie Hotles leveling the score at 1-1 with three minutes to go in the opening period, her fourth goal this season. Hotles has found the back of the net in three of her last four games.
Just 68 seconds after the Hotles equalizer, Megan Woodworth put UConn ahead, 2-1 with her eighth goal of the season, capitalizing on a pass in front of goal from Kyla Josifovic. Despite several attempts from both teams to close out the period, UConn entered the first intermission with a 2-1 lead over Maine. Shots were in favor of the Huskies in the first period, 17-12.
The second period began with Maine knotting the score at 2-2 on the power play, four minutes into the period. UConn had two power play opportunities in the period, but struggled to convert, despite several attempts on goal by Claire Murdoch and Hotles. The period concluded with both teams locked in a 2-2 tie with the Huskies edging out the Black Bears in shots in the second frame, 12-8.
UConn and Maine engaged in a tightly contested third period, with UConn initially extending their lead, 3-2 off the stick of Ashley Allard two minutes into the period. Maine quickly responded with an equalizer just 22 seconds later to tie the game once again, 3–3.
With 13:41 left to play in the third period, UConn's Julia Pellerin scored the game-winning goal off a great feed from Murdoch in front of goal, giving the Huskies a 4-3 lead. Murdoch finished with two assists, her fourth multi-point effort this season.
UConn's defense held firm in the closing minutes, with Chan making key saves down the stretch. She made 14 saves in the third period helping the Huskies secure a narrow 4–3 victory.
UConn outshot Maine 39–35, maintaining offensive pressure throughout the game. On special teams, UConn went 0-for-4 on the power play, while Maine converted 1-of-2 opportunities. UConn was disciplined, accruing just 4 penalty minutes compared to Maine's 8. Additionally, the Huskies narrowly edged out Maine in faceoffs, winning 32 of 63 draws.
Up Next
UConn returns to action on Thursday, January 15 as the Huskies welcome Merrimack to the Toscano Family Ice Forum. Puck drop is set for 3:00pm. TICKETS
