GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The early season returns have been positive for the women's hockey team after a weekend split against Rhode Island at Patterson Ice Center. The Panthers are now 2-3 overall this season after winning just once in eight tries during the shortened 2020-21 campaign.

The Panthers won 4-1 on Friday night to even their record and did so by scoring the only goals of the third period after a 2-2 tie heading into the second intermission. The team weathered a storm by the Rams as they outshot them 68-26 including 30-8 in the first period. 

Ashley Cutcher scored the only first period goal at 11:12 unassisted. Courtney Mulligan made it 2-0 at 16:30 of the second period with an assist from Morgan Pippin. Emma Hill for Rhode Island scored with just five seconds left in the second to set up an interesting third period.

Sydney Butka scored her first goal of the season at 16:55 of the third from Julia Gaynor and Adriannah Letts sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 18:34. Dayna Templeton stopped 67-of-68 shots in net for an impressive effort.

Rhode Island left town with a spilt after a 3-2 win on Saturday. The Rams scored once in each period and held a 48-21 advantage in shots on goal. The first period again was a distinct edge 22-9. The teams traded goals back and forth in this one.

Maleah Gillette scored at 6:30 of the opening period and Letts answered at 10:34 from Avery Anderson. Meagan Wentworth scored her first goal of the season for Rhode Island at 8:44 of the second period with an assist from Lindsey Anderson.

Enter the third period and Mulligan scored her third of the season at 10:02 to once again tie the game. The Rams got the winner at 11:50 as Serena Batacchi's first of the season was assisted by Abbi Sampson. Templeton stopped 45-of-48 shots in this contest for the Panthers.

The team has a weekend off but will face Indiana Tech on Nov. 12-13.