FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Center Jeannie Wallner broke the ice and the reigning NEWHA champion LIU women's hockey team opened its 2023-24 conference schedule on a winning note.

Wallner scored the game's opening two goals and the Sharks defeated host Sacred Heart, 3-1, on Friday afternoon at Martire Family Arena.

The Sharks (1-4, 1-0 NEWHA) had been held scoreless through their first four games of the season, albeit against No. 5 Northeastern and No. 7 Minnesota Duluth.

Wallner — a first-team All-NEWHA selection after leading the Sharks with 29 points during the 2022-23 season — broke a scoreless tie with two minutes remaining in the first period on Friday against Sacred Heart.

She scored a second even-strength goal early in the second period.

And after Sacred Heart pulled within 2-1 on a power-play goal in the third, Bri Eid restored a two-goal advantage with a goal midway through the final period.

Tindra Holm made 36 saves en route to the victory.

Mikayla Lantto, who began her career at Penn State, played in her 100th career collegiate game.

The teams complete their home-and-home series on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow. The game will be televised by SNY.