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Western New England University

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Women's Ice Hockey 12.9
2
Suffolk SUF 3-10-1, 2-6-1
3
Winner Western New Eng. WNE 6-3-2, 6-2-1
Suffolk SUF
3-10-1, 2-6-1
2
Final
3
Western New Eng. WNE
6-3-2, 6-2-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 F
Suffolk SUF 0 1 1 2
Western New Eng. WNE 1 1 1 3

Game Recap: Women's Ice Hockey |

Walker Scores Late Game Winner, WNE Women's Ice Hockey Holds Off Suffolk, 3-2

Springfield, Mass. (December 9, 2023) - The Golden Bears were home at the Olympia Ice Center for their final game of the first semester. The Suffolk University Rams traveled to town for the game. Allison Walker netted the first Golden Bear goal in the opening period of play. Both teams got a goal in the second. Then, after the Rams scored early in the third period of play, Allison Walker netted the game-winning goal with 2:31 left to help the Golden Bears win 3-2.

Records:

  • Western New England: 6-3-2 (6-2-1)
  • Suffolk University: 3-10-1 (2-6-1)

How it Happened:

Rieley Jessie-Gerelli and Lily O'Neil led the Golden Bears and Rams onto the ice, respectively. The game would start with Katie Newkirk winning the faceoff for the Rams. WNE had the first shot of the game, with O'Neil making the save. However, the Rams had the next five shots in which Jessie-Gerelli had to make five saves. Then, 5:28 into the opening period of play, Jenna Lynch stole a pass from the Rams in their defensive zone, skated towards the net, and sent a pass to Allison Walker, who flicked a wrist shot past the goalie to give WNE the early 1-0 lead. The teams would start going back and forth with shots and possession of the puck. That was until Suffolk was called for a penalty, and the Golden Bears went to the power play. The Rams held the Golden Bears to only two shots during the power play, with one being on net. That shot was saved by O'Neil. The Golden Bears continued to apply pressure with four shots in a row after the power play was over. O'Neil did not let a shot past. The Rams answered with four shots of their own to end the opening period of play. Going into the first intermission, the Golden Bears led in shots on goal 9-6, total shots 13-10, and power play attempts 1-0. The Rams had more faceoffs won, 8-6. The Golden Bears had the 1-0 lead after one period of play.

The second period started with Allison Walker winning the opening faceoff for the Golden Bears. The Golden Bears would start the second period with the first eight shots of the middle period of play. Suffolk would answer with three shots of their own. The third shot resulted in the equalizing goal. 4:37 into the second period of play, Bella Schmidt poked the puck to Anya Nichipor, who skated towards the net and had a wrist shot that went over the WNE goalie's shoulder for the equalizing goal. The score was tied at one goal per side. The teams trended towards going back and forth, with each having possession. Suffolk had a few more shots than the Golden Bears during that time. However, it was the Golden Bears that struck next. With 7:31 left in the second, Allison Walker got the puck in the Rams' defensive zone. Walker was right in front of the goalie and tried to send the puck into the net; however, O'Neil denied Walker.

Maddy Tucker skated towards the goal and was able to push the puck past the goalie to give the Golden Bears the 2-1 lead once again. The teams went back and forth with shots until a penalty was called on the Golden Bears. The Rams had five shots during the power play, with two on net. Jessie-Gerelli made both saves. Then, with 1:15 left in the period, the Golden Bears were called for a second penalty, and the Rams were back on the power play. The Rams had two shots with both on goal during their power play before Suffolk was called for a penalty. The score was still 2-1. The Golden Bears had the final two shots of the second, and the teams went into the second intermission. The second period of play saw the Golden Bears have more shots, 21-17, but both teams had 13 shots on goal. Suffolk had two power play attempts, and WNE won 11 out of 21 faceoffs during the second period of play. The score was 2-1 after two.

The third period of play opened with a Maddie Pope faceoff win for the Golden Bears. The Rams had two shots on Jessie-Gerelli early during the final period of play. Then, the Golden Bears were called for a penalty. The Golden Bears had the first two shots, with one being saved by O'Neil during the Rams' power play. The Rams answered with three shots, and Jessie-Gerelli had to make one save. The teams would skate back and forth with shots for both teams before the Rams had four shots in a row, with the final shot equalizing the game for a second time. Jenna Caballero would skate up the left side of the ice for the Rams and send a quick pass in front of the WNE goalie. Katie Newkirk would reach for the puck and, while sliding, would push the puck into the back of the net, and the game was tied again. 7:23 into the final period of play, and the game was tied at 2-2.

The Golden Bears answered the goal with three consecutive shots. The Rams then had six consecutive shots with two on goal. Jessie-Gerelli made both saves. The Golden Bears followed with seven shots in a row. The seventh shot would see Allison Walker get a pass from Maggie Holt and skate up the ice, with the Golden Bears having a 2-1 advantage as they entered the Rams' defensive zone. Walker looked to pass and then sent a quick wrist shot to the right of the goalie and into the back of the net. The Golden Bears now had a 3-2 lead with 2:31 left in the game. The Golden Bears had another shot after the faceoff. Then, the Rams pulled their goalie for another skater on the ice. They had three shots in a row, with Jessie-Gerelli having to save two of the shots. The puck would move from one end of the ice to the other before the final horn sounded, and the Golden Bears won. The final stats show the Golden Bears leading in total shots taken, 56-43, with the advantage in shots on goal, 34-30. The Rams won 34 faceoffs, and the Golden Bears won 30. The Golden Bears had one more penalty than the Rams. Finally, the final stats showed the Golden Bears with the win, 3-2.

Inside the Crease:

  • WNE hosted the Rams of Suffolk University at Olympia Ice Center.
  • Allison Walker opened up the scoring with a goal 5:28 into the game. Jenna Lynch had the assist for the goal. The Golden Bears were leading 1-0.
  • Anya Nichipor had the equalizing goal 4:37 into the second period of play. Bella Schmidt was credited with the assist. The teams were tied 1-1.
  • Maddy Tucker broke the tie with a goal that came with 7:31 left in the second period of play. Allison Walker had the assist. The Golden Bears regained the lead, 2-1.
  • Katie Newkirk got the second equalizing goal for the Rams 7:23 into the final period of the game. Jenna Caballero had the assist. The score was 2-2.
  • Allison Walker had the third and game-winning goal for the Golden Bears with 2:31 left in the game. Maggie Holt had the assist. The Golden Bears led 3-2. 
  • Lily O'Neil had 27 saves.
  • Rieley Jessie-Gerelli had 32 saves.
  • The Golden Bears won 3-2.

Up Next on the Schedule:

  • The Golden Bears will go on winter break and be back in action on Friday, January 5, 2024, at 5:40 PM, when they travel to the New England Sports Complex to take on Anna Maria College.
  • The Rams head into winter break and will be back in action on Saturday, January 13, 2024, when they travel to Hartford, Connecticut, and the Koeppel Community Sports Center to take on the Trinity College Bantams at 4:00 PM.
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