MANCHESTER, N.H. – Four first period goals from Saint Anselm proved to be an insurmountable deficit for a Valiants team playing for the second time in less than 24 hours. Seniors Sydney Asselstine (Hartington, Ontario/Nepean Wildcats (PWHL)) and Alla Traun (Edina, Minn./Minnesota Thoroughbreds (JWHL)) picked up two points apiece, as each assisted on the other's goal.
 
Freshman goaltender Ekaterina Nikonova (Lybertcy, Russia/King's Edgehill School) had a rough start, allowing four goals on 13 shots in the opening frame. Taking her place for the final two periods was sophomore Olivia Drew (York, Maine/Portland Jr. Pirates) who filled in nicely; making 12 saves on 13 shots in her relief appearance.
 
The Valiants cut the deficit to one, halfway through the first period when Asselstine converted a powerplay goal, assisted by Traun. Down 2-1, the Valiants were in the driver seat until the Hawks scored two goals in the final two minutes of the first period, taking a commanding 4-1 lead to intermission.
 
After a scoreless second period, the Hawks increased the lead to 5-1 just over halfway through the third period when freshman Kaitlin Spillane buried her eighth goal of the season at the 10:30 mark.
 
Traun cut the deficit to 5-2 just three minutes later but that was all the offense the Valiants could produce on the day as the Saint Anselm goaltending duo proved too much.
 
Lindsey Brown improved to 14-0-1 on the season, turning away 17 of 18 shots before being pulled for Janice Michaud after the Hawks put in their fifth goal. Michaud made three saves on four shots in the relief appearance.
 
The Valiants finished the regular season with a 10-10-5 overall record, including an 8-6-3 mark in ECAC East play.
 
After securing the third seed last night, the Valiants will host the UMass Boston Beacons in a rematch of last year's ECAC East Quarterfinal, which the Beacons won 3-0. The Valiants will be looking for retribution, and will get their chance Saturday, February 28 at Playland Ice Casino.