ICE HOCKEY

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Natalie Zitek scored twice, and Karine Turmel made 21 saves to lead the seventh-ranked Manhattanville Valiants to a 2-1 victory over the Norwich Cadets in an ECAC East women's ice hockey contest played Friday night at Kreitzberg Arena.

Zitek scored what proved to be the game-winning goal with 7:05 to play in the third period and Manhattanville (9-4-0, 7-1-0 ECAC East) held on for the hard-fought victory.

Despite being outshot, 13-5, in the first period, it was Norwich (5-5-1, 2-4-1 ECAC East) that pushed across the lone goal of the opening stanza as the Cadets converted on a five-on-three situation. With two Manhattanville players in the penalty box, Emily Goff scored to put NU out in front, 1-0, at the 9:14 mark.

The Cadets withstood a Manhattanville five-on-three later in the period as they took a 1-0 lead into the second frame. Cindy Fortin stopped all 13 shots she faced in the opening 20 minutes, making several key saves along the way.

It looked like Norwich would be able to carry its one-goal lead into the third period, but Manhattanville finally cashed in on its 24th shot on goal of the night, as Zitek scored on the power play with six seconds remaining in the second stanza to tie the game at 1-1.

Fortin finished the night with 29 saves. Norwich was 1-for-5 on the power play, while Manhattanville was 1-for-6.

NU returns to the ice at Kreitzberg Arena on Saturday, Jan. 19, when the Cadets host Holy Cross. They are scheduled to drop the puck at 3 p.m.