Biddeford, ME. (November 3, 2023) - The Golden Bears headed to the University of New England for their first conference game of the season. The first period saw UNE take a quick 2-0 lead. WNE would answer with an early second-period goal. However, that is how the score would stay for the rest of the game, and the Nor'Easters would get the victory, 2-1. 

Records:

• Western New England: 0-1-1 (0-1-0)
• University of New England: 2-1-0 (1-0-0)

How it Happened:

The game started with Rieley Jessie-Gerelli in net for the Golden Bears and Delanie Corcoran in net for the Nor'Easters. Ruby McCall won the opening faceoff for the Nor'Easters. Maggie Holt would have the first shot of the game. A shot that Corcoran saved. After that, both teams had two shots each before UNE would take the early lead. After the Golden Bears sent the puck out of the WNE defensive zone, Jamie Ryan sent a long pass to Anna O'Neill, who sent a quick wrist shot over the shoulder of the WNE goalie, and the Nor'Easters were in front 1-0. The Golden Bears would get the next shot off, but it was saved by Corcoran. UNE would push toward the Golden Bear net again. Piper Desorcie sent a backhand pass to Lainie Lemieux, who made a move in front of the WNE goalie and scored. The Nor'Easters had another quick goal to go up 2-0 less than five minutes into the opening period of play. The Golden Bears responded with good defense and offense that made Corcoran make save after save. The Golden Bears got seven shots off in a row at one point before a UNE penalty put the Golden Bears on the power play. The Golden Bears had five shots during the power play, with Corcoran making one save. A minute into the power play, a penalty was called against the Golden Bears, so the teams played 4-on-4. No shots were taken during that time, and the Nor'Easters would have a minute power play, but no shots during that time either. The Golden Bears finished the first period with multiple shots but could not net a goal. UNE led 2-0 at the first intermission. The Golden Bears outshot the Nor'Easters 21-11 and had ten shots on goal compared to the five from the Nor'Easters. Both teams had a power play during the period, and both teams won nine faceoffs.

The second period started with a Leah Dube faceoff win for the Golden Bears. The Golden Bears started the period quickly with three shots and, two of them being saved by Corcoran. UNE was then penalized, and the Golden Bears were on the power play. The Golden Bears had five shots during the power play, with four of the shots being saved by Corcoran. A shot by Jenna Lynch led to a shot by Alyssa Murphy, and after Corcoran had saved both of those, Abby Hay put the puck in the back of the net to cut the UNE lead to one. The Golden Bears trailed 2-1 after a power play goal in the fourth minute of the second period. Both teams went back and forth with shots after the goal, and both goalies made save after save. With just under nine minutes left in the second period, WNE went on the power play for the third time of the game. The power play saw five shots from the Golden Bears. Three of the shots were saved by Corcoran. However, no goals were scored during the power play. The end of the power play did not stop the Golden Bears. They still had four shots in a row after the power play.

Then, the Golden Bears went on the penalty kill. UNE had five shots during their power play. One of which had to be saved by Jessie-Gerelli. The second period ended with the Golden Bears having five of the final six shots. None of the shots were able to get past Corcoran, and so the second period ended with the Nor'Easters leading 2-1. The Golden Bears took 30 shots in the second period, with 18 on goal. The Nor'Easters had 12 shots, with four of them on goal. The Golden Bears were on the power play twice, and the Nor'Easters were on the power play once. UNE had one more faceoff win than the Golden Bears.

With the Golden Bears down 2-1 entering the third period, Leah Dube won the opening third-period faceoff for the Golden Bears. The Golden Bears had the first seven shots of the third period. Five of which were on goal, and Corcoran made each save. The teams then traded shots until the 11:31 mark, which started a run of four shots for the Nor'Easters. Jessie-Gerelli had to make one save in that span and did. The Golden Bears would go on the power play shortly after crossing the halfway mark of the third period. The Golden Bears had two shots during the power play, but both were blocked. The teams both had stretches of three or four shots in a row. They would trade opportunities, but neither goalie would budge. The Golden Bears would pull their goalie with 2:20 left in the game. The Golden Bears got seven shots off during those final two minutes and twenty seconds. Four of those shots had to be saved by Corcoran and were. UNE also got a shot during that time, but it went wide of the net. Corcoran and UNE would keep the Golden Bears from scoring and win the game 2-1. The final stat lines showed the Golden Bears outshoot the Nor'Easters 78-35 and had more shots on goal by a score of 39-15. WNE had four penalties compared to UNE, who had two. WNE also won 32 faceoffs compared to UNE, who won 28. UNE led in blocked shots, 15-9. 

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears traveled to Biddeford, Maine, for a matchup with the Nor'Easters of the University of New England.
• Anna O'Neill got the first goal 3:45 into the first period. Jamie Ryan and Adria Tebo were credited with the assists. UNE led 1-0.
• Lainie Lemieux doubled the Nor'Easters' lead with a goal a minute later. Piper Desorcie notched the assist. UNE now led 2-0.
• Abby Hay scored the only goal of the game for the Golden Bears on the power play 3:21 into the second period. WNE cut the lead in half and now trailed 2-1.
• Rieley Jessie-Gerelli finished the game with 13 saves. 
• Delanie Corcoran finished the game with 38 saves.
• The Nor'Easters won the game 2-1. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Both teams will travel to West Springfield for the second game of their home-and-home series. They will play at the Olympia Ice Center at 7:00 PM on Saturday, November 4.