Box Score BEVERLY, Mass. (November 15, 2024) – The Western New England women's ice hockey team fell for the first time this season at the hands of the Gulls of Endicott College, coming away with a 4-3 loss to drop the conference opener. WNE fell down 2-0 in the game early before rallying to tie the game at two before Endicott would seal the deal late in the third period with two goals to come away with the win over the Golden Bears.

Records:

• Western New England: 4-1, 0-1 CNE
• Endicott College: -1, 2-1 CNE

How It Happened:

Western New England would surrender their first goal of the game just 1:20 into the contest as the Gulls would get going early when Ella Rago picked up Endicott's opening goal of the game. Assists from Teaghan Hall and Maggie Lynch would stream an early advantage for the home team in Western New England's first CNE contest of the season. AnnaBelle Calvanese would take WNE's first shot on goal in the game, though would be denied by EC's goalie Lauren Ferrari. Endicott would control the puck in WNE's offensive zone for most of the opening ten minutes of the game, forcing WNE keeper Rachel Irving to make timely saves. Western New England would find their way at the midway point of the first though would not score as Alana Bouthillette would pick up two quick shots, one that would get through to Ferrari and one blocked shot. The Gulls would pressure Irving with 2:26 remaining in the first period as Payton Hansen, Maggie Lynch, and Teaghan Hall would all register shots on goal in quick succession, though the Gulls would not be able to add any goals in the frame. The Golden Bears would pick up two late shots on goal in the first period, seeing both Alexa Paoli and Michaela Birmingham pick up shots though WNE would go scoreless in the opening frame, seeing the Gulls take a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play. Irving made 15 saves on 16 shots on goal in the first frame, while the Golden Bears took 11 shots on goal in the first period overall.

The second period started out just the same as the first did, as Endicott would pick up an early tally to double their lead. Just 1:28 into the second frame, Endicott's Maggie Holt would find the back of the net for the first time this season on an assist from Maggie Lynch to bring the Gulls to a quick 2-0 lead. The Golden Bears would storm back with their first goal of the night at the 6:32 mark of the second period when AnnaBelle Calvanese would find the back of the net for the second time this season to cut Endicott's lead in half, 2-1. On an assist from Katie Cronin, Calvanese would fire a shot past EC's Ferrari to put Western New England on the scoreboard. At the halfway point of the second period, Endicott would go on the powerplay, the first penalty assessed in the game though the Gulls would not be able to take advantage of their powerplay as Irving would make two saves on it while Alexa Paoli would pick up a blocked shot to keep the Gulls off the scoreboard. With under four minutes remaining in the second period, Western New England would sustain some offensive pressure and would tie the game at two when Leah Dube scored her first goal of the season. After a puck battle along the board, Paoli would win the battle and bring the puck back to the blue line, where the graduate student took a wrist shot from the point that would be tipped in front by sophomore Leah Dube, evening the score for the Golden Bears at two. The first powerplay for the Golden Bears would come with 28 seconds left in the period, as Western New England would get nearly a full-length powerplay to begin the third period, tied after 40 minutes of play, 2-2. The Golden Bears had eight shots in the second period, two getting by Farrari. Rachel Irving made 14 saves for Western New England in the second period.

The Gulls did not continue their early going in their third period; in fact, the Golden Bears came around with the opening seven shots in the third period, five of which came on the powerplay. Maddie Pope would rip four shots that would all be blocked down by Endicott's defense, including Samantha Fantasia. Both teams would press on offense, looking for the all-important next goal of the game. Emma Birmingham, Brie Dube, and Zoe Galanoudis came away with chances for the Golden Bears, while Rivers Morris and Tara Henshaw took shots on goal for the Gulls, though all scoring chances would be shut down by both respective goalkeepers, keeping the game level at two. The Gulls would break the ice with eight minutes to play in the third period to regain their lead. Mackenzie Graham put home her first goal of the season to give Endicott a 3-2 lead. Gracyn Kurrle grabbed the lone assist on the goal for the Gulls, as Western New England would not be able to pick up the next goal of the game. From there, WNE would get a quick powerplay following the goal from EC. WNE's Paoli and Ziya Damas came away with shots on goal on the brief powerplay before WNE would take a penalty just a minute into their powerplay to go four-on-four. Endicott would come away with the better of the chances for a four-minute stretch before the clock would wind down to one minute remaining in the period when the Gulls would slot the puck into the empty net to grasp a two-goal lead. Cammi Ahern would score her third of the year for the Gulls to give Endicott a 4-2 lead. The Golden Bears were not done there, adding pressure to Endicott late in the frame, getting a powerplay with 40 seconds to play in the game, and would convert on the chance in just 18 seconds when Maddie Pope scored for the first time this season with an assist from Paoli, moving the score to 4-3 in favor of Endicott with 22 seconds to play. Endicott would win the ensuing faceoff and came away with the 4-3 Conference of New England victory, sending WNE to a loss for the first time this season.

Inside the Lines:

• The Golden Bears were outshot 41-19 in the contest as the Golden Bears saw Ravhel Irving make 37 saves while allowing three goals in the game.
• Three different forwards would find the back of the net for the Golden Bears in the game, with AnnaBelle Calvanese opening the scoring for WNE. Leah Dube and Maddie Pope would also come away with goals for Western New England.
• Alexa Paoli had two assists in the game as well as two shots on goal, leading the Blue and Gold with two points in the losing effort.
• The Golden Bears were 1/4 on the powerplay, scoring on their final chance of the game.
• The Golden Bears held the edge in faceoff wins, 27-24 overall. Mabel Gerard was 10/19 for WNE.
• The Golden Bears fall to just 1-5 all time against Endicott on their home ice. This is the second straight 4-3 loss to the Gulls for the Golden Bears, with the last coming on home ice in overtime.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England gets another crack at the Gulls on Saturday, November 16 at 6:30 PM when Endicott travels to the Olympia Ice Center for another CNE contest.