WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 27, 2023) – Western New England sophomore Justin Sullivan tallied three goals for Western New England to open the season as the Golden Bears soared past the visiting Raves of Franklin Pierce University by a final score of 7-1 on day one of the Western Massachusetts Invitational.

Records:

• Western New England: 1-0
• Franklin Pierce: 0-1

How it Happened:
Western New England wasted very little time to grab their first goal of the game when Justin Sullivan found the back of the net on a pass from Matty Zdanowicz, giving the Golden Bears their first goal of the season. Everest Schneider grabbed his first point of the season, picking up a secondary assist. Just under six minutes later, Sullivan was back on the scoreboard to give WNE a 2-0 lead when Jake Mendeszoon's shot was tipped in front of the goal as WNE grabbed the 2-0 lead. The Golden Bears outshot FPU 10-8 in the opening frame.

The Golden Bears would bring the heat in the second period, scoring three goals in three minutes while tallying a late goal to take a commanding 6-0 lead. Rais Francis's shot would be deflected in front of the goal by Nolan Dawson, who would score his first goal as a Golden Bear giving Western New England a 3-0 lead. Just 1:13 later, Billy Hefferle capitalized on a chance in front of the goal with assists by Shane Miller and Brayden Patricia, giving WNE the 4-0 lead. Brayden Patricia would be back on the score sheet again when Owen Schmidt and Billy Hefferle grabbed assists to give Western New England a 5-0 lead. Justin Sullivan would send hats onto the ice, grabbing his third goal of the night, his first career hat trick, taking a stretch pass from Jordie Morgan and finding the back of the net, scoring for the third time of the night, taking a 6-0 lead. Franklin Pierce would respond with a late goal with seven seconds to play in the second period, when Matt Horan went coast to coast and found twine, giving the Ravens their first goal of the season. Despite outshooting WNE 14-7, the Ravens found themselves down 6-1 after two periods of play. Anthony Aureliano made 13 saves in the second period and totaled 21 through two periods of play.

Neither team could generate much offense in the third period, with WNE coming away with the lone goal of the period when Nolan Dawson picked up his secondgoal as a Golden Bear to give WNE a 7-1 lead. Dalton Garcia and Matty Zdanowicz came through with assists as Western New England would win 7-1 to move into the Western Massachusetts Invitational Championship game.

Inside the Box:

• Justin Sullivan scored three times for WNE, leading the way on offense and taking four total shots in the game.
• Jake Mendeszoon made his WNE debut, collecting two points and two assists for the Golden Bears.
• Both newcomers, Brayden Patricia and Matty Zdanowicz, came away with two points each for WNE in the win. Patricia came away with 11 faceoff wins out of 15 attempts.
• Anthony Aureliano made 35 total saves on 36 shots on goal to preserve the victory for WNE.
• FPU outshot WNE 36-30 in the contest.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England will travel to Westfield State University and Amelia Park Ice Arena for the championship game of the Western Massachusetts Invitational for a 7:35 p.m. puck drop.
• FPU will meet Post University on Saturday, October 28 at 4:35 pm for the consolation game of the invitational.