West Springfield, Mass. (October 28, 2023) - The Golden Bears welcomed the Beacons of UMass Boston to the Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield, Massachusetts. This was the first game of the season for the Golden Bears and the second for the Beacons. The game finished with no goals, and the game went to a shootout, where the Golden Bears prevailed.

Records:

• Western New England: 0-0-1 (0-0-0)
• University of Massachusetts Boston: 1-1-0 (0-0-0)

How it Happened:

With Leah Bosch and Rieley Jessie-Gerelli in net for the Beacons and Golden Bears, respectively, the game got underway. Maddie Pope would win the opening faceoff. Both teams would have early opportunities that missed the net. Jessie-Gerelli would make a few saves at the beginning of the first period. Bosch would save some shots, as well. The teams would go back and forth, and with 2:33 left in the first period, the Golden Bears would go on the powerplay for the first time this season. The Golden Bears had three shots on net during the powerplay, but Bosch saved all of them. The first period came to a close after the penalty concluded. After one period of play, the Golden Bears had 13 shots on goal, and the Beacons had five shots on goal. The score was knotted at zero.

The second period started with an Emily Hansen faceoff win. Again, this period saw both teams move the puck from side to side. Both goalies made multiple saves, but the Beacons were pressuring the Golden Bears' goaltender. However, as much as they pressured, Jessie-Gerelli kept making saves to keep the Beacons off the board. The Golden Bears would have some opportunities, but Bosch would shut them down. The second period ended without a goal, as well. After the second period, both teams had 18 total shots, with the shots being flipped 13-5 in favor of the Beacons for this period. The score was still 0-0. 

The third period saw Maddie Pope win the third-period opening faceoff. The teams would move the puck from side to side again. Both goalies kept making saves on both ends. 6:04 into the third period, both teams were penalized, and the game saw 4-on-4 action. Bosch had to make two saves during the penalty, and Jessie-Gerelli made one. Both sides had multiple opportunities, but the goalies shut down each one, and it was tied 0-0 after three periods of action, and the game went to overtime. After three periods of play, the Golden Bears had 29 shots on goal, and the Beacons had 28 shots on goal. 

Overtime saw the Beacons get five shots on net, but Jessie-Gerelli made save after save to keep the game moving on. Bosch made four saves for the Beacons to move the game to a shootout. In the shootout, both goalies made the first save. Jessie-Gerelli made the second save, but Alyssa Murphy was able to score a goal on Bosch on the second WNE shootout shot. Jessie-Gerelli would make the final save after that to secure the shootout win for the Golden Bears. The Golden Bears won 1-0 in a shootout.

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears welcomed the Beacons of UMass Boston to Western Massachusetts for their first game of the season and Cub Club Night.
• There were no goals in regular time or overtime.
• Alyssa Murphy scored in the shootout.
• Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made 33 saves
• Leah Bosch made 33 saves.
• The Golden Bears won the game 1-0 in a shootout.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears will be back in action on Friday night when they travel to Maine for an early-season CCC matchup with the University of New England. That game will be played on Friday, November 3, at 7:00 PM.
• The Beacons will head to Plymouth, N.H., for their next game. They will play the Panthers of Plymouth State University in an early season NEHC matchup on Friday, November 3, at 6:00 PM.