In a chippy, fast-paced contest at home, the Suffolk University women’s hockey team couldn’t overcome early struggles, falling 4–0 to the University of New England Dec. 5 in a game marked by heavy pressure, physical play and rising tempers.
UNE struck twice in the opening period and continued to dictate possession through the second, grinding down Suffolk’s defensive zone with constant turnovers and extended offensive shifts. UNE’s Kaylen Taddia was a persistent threat on the left wing, creating chances in tight and ultimately sneaking in a screened shot through traffic, while Madeline Hill capitalized on open space at the right point with a clean slap shot that Suffolk could do little to disrupt.
Suffolk, meanwhile, had difficulty connecting passes out of the back and containing UNE’s speed. The Rams struggled to sustain possession, losing one-on-one battles and failing to break through the Nor’easters’ defensive structure.
Despite the team’s overall challenges, senior defenseman Liliana Moose delivered strong individual moments, helping relieve pressure with creative outlet passes and producing several aggressive rushes up the wing.
Still, Suffolk couldn’t convert those opportunities into points. A scrap at the end of the second period, along with a controversial no-call on a high stick that came dangerously close to Suffolk goalie Katelyn Michals added to the frustration. The game took an even more serious turn when Suffolk’s Alexia Hill exited the ice with an injury after a heavy collision that resulted in a five-minute major penalty on UNE’s Adria Tebo, who was also assessed a misconduct and ejected from the game.
The Rams showed more spark in the third period, skating with renewed energy and using the wings more effectively, but repeated failed rim passes and UNE’s tight defensive marking prevented Suffolk from generating a clear breakthrough. Even with increased offensive zone time, UNE’s structure held firm.
After the game, Moose reflected candidly on the team’s uneven performance.
“We didn’t play a full 60 minutes, and we didn’t bring the energy we needed,” said Moose, noting that Suffolk’s strong early-season standing has come with heightened expectations. “We were sitting on top of the league rankings, and with that comes a target on our back. As a team, we’ve talked a lot about consistency and coming out the gate hard.”
Moose acknowledged UNE’s speed and execution, adding that if the Rams could replay the game, their focus would shift toward finishing scoring opportunities.
“The girls from UNE seemed faster mentally and physically,” said Moose. “If we were to play this game over again, we’d want to focus on scoring opportunities. We had a good number of shots and offensive zone time, but we just couldn’t put one in.”
Inside the locker room, Moose emphasized the importance of staying positive.
“It’s hard losing and falling in rankings, but it’s important not to blame each other,” said Moose. “We talk about what we can do better as a group and how to keep the energy up.”
Despite UNE entering the night 1–3–0 in conference play, Moose said the matchup showed how unpredictable the league can be. Still, she stressed that Suffolk’s focus remains forward-looking.
“Any team can beat any team anytime. It’s about who shows up and who wants it more,” said Moose. “We just have to keep concentrating on our systems and improving each game. That’s how we’ll continue to be successful.”
