SYOSSET, N.Y. – It was a strong start to the weekend series for the Long Island University women's ice hockey team as the Sharks downed the Saint Michael's College Purple Knights by a 7-3 final at Ice Works on Friday, Jan. 17.
 
The LIU power-play unit continued to keep up its impressive play as of late during the series-opener. Despite entering the game converting just 6.5-percent (4-of-62) of its power-play opportunities, the Sharks exploded for five goals on eight chances on the afternoon. Freshman Molly Meyers pushed the Blue and Gold out to an early lead just over six minutes into the contest, battling in front of the net before finally pushing across a loose puck for her fifth goal of the season. Despite LIU controlling much of the play during the first period, Saint Michael's held a 9-6 edge in shots on goal during the frame, though freshman netminder Ava Bailey kept the Purple Knights off the scoreboard.
 
During the second stanza, it was freshman Carrigan Umpherville potting her first goal of the day on the power-play. Saint Michael's got on the board with a power-play goal of its own to cut the deficit in half with just under five minutes remaining, but was assessed a penalty for high-sticking moments later. LIU once again took full advantage, as freshman Paula Bergström fired a shot from the point that was batted down before Meyers lifted the rebound inside the left post for her second career multi-goal game.
 
LIU carried the 3-1 lead into the locker room, though the special teams for both schools continued to dominate into the final stanza. Saint Michael's made it a one-goal game with its second power-play goal 30 seconds into the period. The Blue and Gold responded, however, with its fourth power-play goal of the afternoon when freshman Matilda af Bjur deflected a shot from classmate Alva Johnsson over the shoulder of Purple Knight goalkeeper Vika Simons.
 
The back and forth action continued as Saint Michael's scored just 14 seconds later, though the Sharks responded on the power-play once again, as Umpherville deflected a slap shot from the point under the glove of Simons for her team-best ninth goal of the season. LIU put the game out of reach late, scoring a short-handed goal when Johnsson took a blocked shot down the ice on a breakaway and used a nifty back-handed shot to beat Simons. The Sharks put an exclamation point on the win with a four-on-four goal late when Abby Latorella ripped home a shot from the right wing to give LIU the 7-3 final margin.
 
Meyers and Umpherville led the way with two goals apice on the day, with Bergström and Meyers leading LIU with three points each. Freshman Lauren Spino added two assists for her first multi-point game of her career.
 
In goal, Bailey picked up her first career win, making 27 saves on the afternoon.
 
The Sharks and Purple Knights wrap up their weekend series on Saturday, Jan. 18 when the puck drops at Northwell Health Ice Center at 4:15 p.m.