EAST MEADOW, N.Y. — Eighth-seeded Saint Michael's put up a fight, but the regular-season champion LIU women's hockey team is now a win from advancing in the NEWHA playoffs.

The Sharks defeated Saint Michael's, 3-2, on Friday night in Game 1 of the best-of-three conference quarterfinals at Northwell Health Ice Center.

LIU can close out the series when the teams meet on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on Long Island.

On Friday night, Ashley Morrow and Jeannie Wallner scored 2 minutes, 23 seconds apart late in the second period to break a 1-all tie. And rhe Sharks prevailed despite the Purple Knights clawing back within a goal midway through the third period.