NORTHFIELD, Vt. The third-ranked Norwich Women's Ice Hockey team continued its torrid run through Little East Conference (LEC) play Saturday afternoon, blanking UMass Boston  4–0 at Kreitzberg Arena to complete the weekend sweep.

First-years Maggie Hunter (Royal Oak, Mich.) and Madalyn Liles (Arlington, Texas) led the offensive charge with a goal and an assist apiece, while Alex Leslie (Irishtown, N.B.) added two helpers. The afternoon also featured a milestone moment, as Livia Brooks (Walpole, Mass.) became the 11th player in program history to reach the 50-career goal plateau, tying Mikah Baptiste '23 for 10th all-time.

UMass Boston tested Norwich netminder Payton Sutherland (Brighton, Colo.) early, generating a handful of chances in the opening minutes. Sutherland responded confidently, turning aside each look before the Cadets shifted momentum and began tilting the ice the other direction.

After Beacon goaltender Veronika Hadamovsky made several strong stops to keep the game scoreless, Norwich finally broke through midway through the first period. Geena Cookinham (Gilmanton, N.H.) tracked down the puck in the left corner and sent it back to Leslie at the point. Leslie quickly connected with her defensive partner, Hunter, at the top of the right circle, and Hunter stepped into a slap shot that beat Hadamovsky inside the left post to give Norwich a 1–0 lead.

The Cadets kept pressing and doubled their advantage in the final minute of the opening frame. Leslie moved the puck to Marja Linzbichler (Graz, Austria) as Norwich gained the offensive zone. Linzbichler circled the end boards before slipping a pass to Liles, who cut inside and finished the chance with confidence to make it 2–0. Norwich closed the period with a commanding 17–2 edge in shots.

The second period featured a parade to the penalty box, but Norwich's special teams rose to the occasion.

After an early penalty kill that limited UMass Boston's chances, the Cadets extended their lead. Liles worked the puck free along the boards and fed Jordan Brady (Green Bay, Wis.) at the point. Brady's shot found its way through traffic and into the back of the net, pushing the margin to 3–0.

Late in the period, Norwich faced its stiffest test of the afternoon, staring down a five-on-three disadvantage that briefly became a four-on-three for the Beacons. The Cadet penalty kill clamped down, allowing just one shot on Sutherland and keeping UMass Boston from generating sustained pressure.

Moments after returning to even strength, Norwich struck again. Hunter started the play with a crisp outlet pass from the defensive zone to Libby Lane (Northville, Mich.). Lane found Brooks streaking down the boards, and Brooks finished the rush chance to net her 50th career goal, giving Norwich a 4–0 cushion heading into the second intermission.

Both teams exchanged unsuccessful power-play opportunities early in the third period, but the Cadets' penalty kill continued to shine. Norwich went a perfect 5-for-5 on the afternoon, limiting the Beacons to just five shots across all their man-advantage opportunities.

Sutherland remained steady in net throughout the final frame, tracking pucks cleanly and controlling rebounds to preserve the shutout as Norwich closed out another conference victory.

"We put together another full 60-minute effort today," said Head Coach Justin Simpson. "Our staff was very impressed by our penalty kill, going 5-for-5. This series vs UMass Boston was a playoff series for our whole group, and we rose to the occasion. It was great to see Livia Brooks score her 50th career goal today. She has had so many chances the past 3 games. It was nice to see her capitalize in the 2nd period."

Norwich will remain on home ice next weekend, hosting Plymouth State on Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. to begin its final regular-season series.