Photo by Bill Croney, The Northfield News Julie Fortier takes over in one of the games earlier this year. She has now been given ECAC East League honors along with team mates Amanda Wilks and Sophie Leclerc. RYE, N.Y. - Brittane Michaud scored a pair of goals, and Cindy Fortin stopped all 15 shots that she faced to lead the Norwich University women's ice hockey team to a 4-0 shutout victory over Salve Regina in the ECAC East Tournament championship Sunday afternoon at Playland Ice Casino.

With the victory, Norwich (19- 8-1) captures its first ECAC East Tournament title in just its second season competing at the varsity level.

The Cadets earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, and they will be participating in that event for the first time beginning next weekend.

The Cadets had the better of play in the opening period, holding a 10-3 edge in shots during the first 20 minutes. Norwich was unable to score, though, and the game moved into the second period scoreless.

Norwich got on the scoreboard early in the second period when Michaud scored just 54 seconds into the middle stanza. Julie Fortier and Melissa Rundlett picked up assists on the goal, which proved to be the game winner.

The Cadets made it 2-0 late in the second period when Sarah Scardino scored with just 13 seconds to play in the frame. Amanda Wilks and Kelsey Cone assisted on the goal, which was Scardino's ninth of the season.

Norwich outshot Salve Regina 19-1 in the second period, and the Cadets carried their 2-0 lead into the final 20 minutes.

Sophie Leclerc pushed NU's lead to 3-0 when she tallied her team-leading 19th goal of the year at the 6:26 mark off an assist from Scardino.

Michaud capped the scoring later in the third period when she scored an empty-net goal at the 16:20 mark. Caitie Banfield and Rundlett were credited with assists on the goal, which was Michaud's seventh of the year.

It marked the fourth shutout of the season for Fortin, who improves to 12-5-0 on the year.