WORCESTER, Mass. (Interstat) — Assumption scored in the opening minute, built a three-goal lead by the second period and rolled to a 6-2 victory over visiting Saint Michael’s in a women’s NCAA Division I hockey game Saturday at Laska Gymnasium. The Greyhounds improved to 2-0 on the season, while the Purple Knights fell to 0-2. The announced attendance was 165. Assumption never trailed after Annie Forker’s early strike, and the Greyhounds controlled play for long stretches. The win completed a weekend sweep for Assumption after a 2-1 victory in the previous meeting.

Assumption opened the scoring just 36 seconds into the first period. Forker beat the Saint Michael’s defense with assists from Alexa Hanrahan and Rachel Agerter. The Purple Knights responded at 3:48 of the period when Anna Jerylo scored, with Alicia McDonald and Maddie Quinn picking up assists. The tie lasted until 16:35 of the first, when Haven Mills scored for Assumption. Natalie Joiner and Alaina Whitesell assisted on the go-ahead goal, sending the Greyhounds into the first intermission with a 2-1 lead.

The Greyhounds expanded their advantage in the second period. Isabella Zolezzi scored at 4:04 of the period to make it 3-1. Megan Tremblay followed at 6:44, with Hanrahan and Sydney Burnevik assisting. Alaina Whitesell added another Assumption goal at 9:50, assisted by Burnevik, pushing the lead to 5-1. Saint Michael’s stopped the run at 14:24 when Brianna Jarvis scored, with Jen Birolini and Kate Louder assisting. Assumption took a 5-2 lead into the third period.

Natalie Joiner completed the scoring at 2:04 of the third period, with Kayla McGaffigan assisting. The goal gave Assumption a 6-2 cushion. Maria Suarez earned the win in net for the Greyhounds, stopping 10 of the 12 shots she faced. Saint Michael’s could not mount another comeback after Jarvis’s second-period goal. Assumption’s defense limited the Purple Knights’ chances over the final 15 minutes. The Purple Knights put 12 shots on goal in the game.

Hanrahan was Assumption’s top star, finishing with two assists, six shots on goal and two penalty minutes. She helped set up Forker’s opening goal and Tremblay’s second-period strike. Joiner had one goal, one assist and four shots on goal. Tremblay recorded one goal, nine shots and one hit. Burnevik contributed two assists and two shots. McGaffigan had one assist and six shots. Whitesell finished with one goal, one assist, one shot and two penalty minutes. Mills added one goal, two shots and four penalty minutes. Caroline Lilley registered 11 shots on goal. Agerter had one assist and four shots.

The teams combined for 17 penalties. Saint Michael’s was whistled nine times, while Assumption was called eight times. The Purple Knights received penalties for tripping, roughing, high sticking, body checking, cross checking, holding and unsportsmanlike conduct. The Greyhounds were penalized for slashing, tripping, body checking, indirect contact to the head and hooking. Assumption also won the previous meeting between the teams 2-1. Hanrahan had four shots on goal in that contest. The Greyhounds have started the season with two wins, while Saint Michael’s is still seeking its first victory.

Assumption is scheduled to visit Holy Cross next. The Greyhounds then host Sacred Heart for two games before traveling to Saint Anselm for two games. Later, Assumption is set to visit Mercyhurst for two games, Long Island for two games and Franklin Pierce. Saint Michael’s will host Franklin Pierce in its next two games. The Purple Knights then host Stonehill for two games before traveling to Dartmouth. Saint Michael’s will also play at Harvard, at Merrimack and at Long Island for two games. Those future games will give both teams a chance to build on or bounce back from Saturday’s result.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Assumption 4, Saint Michael’s 0. Interstat’s ELO system had given Assumption an 83.5 percent probability to win before the game.