MIDDLETON, R.I. -- The St. Catherine University hockey team started off the new year with a 4-2 victory over Salve Regina University in Middleton, Rhode Island. The win puts St. Kate's at 4-6-1 handing the Seahawks their third loss this season. 

"Good way to start the second half", said head coach Brad Marshall.  "It's always nice to get balanced scoring and our penalty kills continues to be strong."

St. Kate's fought off a five minute slashing penalty assessed in the last minute of the first period with a goal from first-year Lilly Gillespie at 1:48 into the second as both teams had players in the box. Gillespie had help from senior Samantha Lackmann and sophomore Lauren Sundgren.

Salve was on the board three minutes later to tie it at 1-1. Sophomore Isabel Burt scored her first goal of the season unassisted at 9:11 in the second just before rookie Sarah Wangen supplied her first collegiate goal at 9:58. Wangen's goal was assisted by Gillespie and senior Gabby Bodin. The Seahawks went on to add one more goal in the second for a total of five on both ends with under five minutes left in the period. 

St. Kate's added one final insurance goal in the third with senior Abby Pirkl scoring her fourth of the season. 

St. Kate's will face the Seahawks again on Saturday in Rhode Island. Game two of the non-conference series is scheduled for 10:30 AM CST.