WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 9, 2024) – The Western New England women's ice hockey team came away with a 3-1 non-conference victory on Saturday night from the Olympia Ice Center, defeating the Lancers of Worcester State University.

Records:

• Western New England: 4-0
• Worcester State University: 0-3

How it Happened:

Worcester State would pick up the first shot of the game just south of two minutes into the game as Abbey Milman tested WNE starting goalkeeper Kayla Ireland early, though it would be denied. Western New England's first shot on goal in the game would be the first goal of the game as Alyssa Murphy fired a wrister from the tops of the circles to give the Golden Bears the early 1-0 lead just 3:12 into the contest. Brie Dube and Maddie Pope picked up assists for Western New England on the play. The Golden Bears would dominate much of the offensive possession in the first period, though Kelsey Czerniawski would keep the Lancers in the game early. Ziya Damas, Alexa Paoli, and Zoe Galanoudis would put up shots on goal though would not be able to find the back of the net on their powerplay opportunity. Western New England outshot Worcester State 16-5 in the opening period and would take away a 1-0 lead after the first 20 minutes.

The start of the second period would see the Golden Bears open with a shot on the first eight seconds of the frame while Worcester State would pick up the next two shots, though Ireland would make two saves. Western New England would begin to find their offensive attack again and would put up their second goal of the game when Katie Cronin potted her first goal of the season, coming away with assists from Leah Dube and AnnaBelle Calvanese to come away with a 2-0 lead. Three minutes later, Worcester State would pick up the first goal against the Golden Bears since opening night, a shutout streak of over 150 minutes overall. Madelyn Franta would take a wrister that would get by Ireland on an assist from Caroline Melanson to cut Western New England's lead in half with 13 minutes to play in the second period. Jenna Lynch, Zoe Galanoudis, and Maddie Pope would take shots on goal down the stretch, though none of the Golden Bears would be able to find the back of the net as Western New England would pick up a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes of play. Western New England outshot Worcester State 19-6 in the second period, with both teams coming away with one goal in the frame.

Western New England got off to a quick start in the third period though would not be able to find the back of the goal. A roughing penalty on Worcester State at the 4:27 mark of the third period would send Western New England to their fourth powerplay of the game, though WNE would not be able to score despite putting up five shots on goal on the chance. The failed powerplay would not deter WNE, as the Golden Bears would add an insurance marker at the midway point of the third period when Mabel Gerard continued to add to her prolific start through her first four games played. Gerard found a rebound in front of the goal as Jenna Lynch and Zoe Galanoudis recorded assists on the goal that gave the Golden Bears a 3-1 lead with 9:30 remaining in the game. Worcester State would begin to push, looking to tie the game. Western New England would take a late tripping penalty with under two minutes to play in the game, though the Lancers would not be able to put a shot past Kayla Ireland as the junior goalkeeper would make all six saves on WSU in the third period, securing a 3-1 win for Western New England to help the Golden Bears improve to 4-0 on the season.

Inside the Lines:

• Three different goal scorers for the Golden Bears would propel them to a win. Alyssa Murphy picked up her second goal of the season, Katie Cronin's first of the season became the game-winning goal, and Mabel Gerard potted her second goal of the season to help WNE.
• Kayla Ireland made 16 saves on 17 WSU shots in the game, recording her second win of the season.
• Worcester State blocked 19 Western New England shots in the game, led by Caroline Melanson and Lea Gasper, who collected four each.
• WSU goalkeeper Kelsey Czerniawski made 49 stops in the goal while allowing just three goals to WNE.
• Western New England improves to 3-1-2 all-time against Worcester State, including three straight wins.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Conference of New England play opens for the Golden Bears on Friday, November 15 at 5:00 PM, traveling to Endicott College.