Springfield, Mass. (November 4, 2023) - The Golden Bears traveled back to Massachusetts to host the second part of the home-and-home series against the University of New England Nor'Easters. The Golden Bears would score two in the second period and one in the third period to win the game 3-0 at home.

Records:

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

How it Happened:

The game started with the same goaltender matchup as the previous night. Rieley Jessie-Gerelli was in net for the Golden Bears, and Delanie Corcoran was in net for the Nor'Easters. Maddie Pope won the opening faceoff for the Golden Bears. The teams each had a shot to open the game. Then the Golden Bears had four shots in a row, with one being saved by Corcoran. The Nor'Easters then had two shots saved by Jessie-Gerelli. 7:39 into the game, the Golden Bears would go on the penalty kill. The Nor'Easters had six shots during the UNE power play. Only two of those shots were on net, and Jessie-Gerelli made both saves. The Golden Bears then had eight of the next nine shots, with four shots on net and Corcoran making each save. UNE countered with three straight shots and two on net that Jessie-Gerelli saved. The Golden Bears went on the power play with 1:56 remaining in the first period. WNE had two shots on Corcoran before committing a penalty, and the game became 4-on-4 for the rest of the first period. After the first period, UNE had eight shots on goal, and WNE had seven. The score was tied at zero.

The score only stayed that way for a short time. Maddie Pope won the opening faceoff for the second period. After the penalties were over for both teams and the teams were back to even strength, Alyssa Murphy took a shot that Corcoran saved. However, the rebound fell to Allison Walker, who put the puck in the back of the net for the opening goal. The Golden Bears led 1-0. The Golden Bears used that goal as energy and had seven straight shots after the goal. Five of the shots were on Corcoran, and they were all saved. The teams would trade shots after that, with the goalies making save after save. UNE would then go on the power play 8:46 into the second period. UNE had five shots during the power play, with all five being on net. Jessie-Gerelli made each save. Shortly after, play would go to 4-on-4 after matching high-sticking penalties for the two teams. After a shot for the Golden Bears, UNE would be called for a penalty, and the teams played 4-on-3 with the Golden Bears on the power play.

The Golden Bears had five shots during their extended power play, with four being on net. On the sixth shot, Jenna Lynch scored. It was the first career Golden Bear goal for Jenna Lynch. Maddie Pope sent the puck to Maggie Holy, who sent a shot that was deflected into the air. Jenna Lynch waited for the puck to fall under the crossbar and hit it out of midair and into the back of the net for the second goal of the night for the Golden Bears. The lead was 2-0. UNE went back on the power play soon after. There were only two shots for the Nor'Easters on that power play, and only one save had to be made by Jessi-Gerelli. The second period would finish, and the Golden Bears had the lead 2-0. The Golden Bears outshot the Nor'Easters 15-13 in that second period.

The third period got started with Maddie Pope winning a third consecutive opening faceoff of the period. Both teams had shots to open the period, with both goalies making saves. WNE went on the power play early in the third period. Both teams got a shot off to start the WNE power play. Then, Jenna Lynch sent a pass to Maggie Holt, who sent a pass to Maddie Pope. Pope then sent a wrist shot past the UNE goalie and into the back of the net. The Golden Bears were up 3-0 after that power-play goal. Both teams would fire shot after shot. They were trading shots back and forth. The Golden Bears then had four shots on Corcoran in a row. UNE would go to the power play with 3:40 left in the third period. UNE had six shots during the power play. Five of the shots were on net, and Jessie-Gerelli made every save. The game would end with multiple shots from both teams, and Rieley Jessie-Gerelli would get the first conference shutout win for the Golden Bears this season. The Golden Bears won 3-0. The teams both had 33 shots on goal during the game. WNE won the faceoff battle 33-27. WNE had two more penalties called against them by a count of 6-4. Lastly, UNE had more blocked shots by a score of 12-9.

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears hosted the University of New England Nor'Easters in a Saturday night conference matchup.
• Allison Walker got the goals started two a minute and a half into the second period. Alyssa Murphy was credited with the assist. WNE led 1-0
• Jenna Lynch scored a first career goal for the Golden Bears with less than six minutes to go in the second period. Maddie Pope and Maggie Holt had the assists. WNE led 2-0.
• Maddie Pope scored almost five minutes into the third period to give the Golden Bears the 3-0 lead. Jenna Lynch and Maggie Holt were credited with the assists.
• Delanie Corcoran had 30 saves.
• Rieley Jessie-Gerelli had 33 saves and the shutout.
• The Golden Bears won 3-0.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears go on the road for their next game. That game will be at Endicott on Friday, November 10, at 7:00 PM. 
• The Nor'Easters will head to Canton, Massachusetts, for their next game against Curry College. That game will be at 7:00 PM on Friday, November 10.