WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 18, 2025) – The Western New England women's ice hockey team hosted the Rams of Suffolk University on Saturday night from the Olympia Ice Center in their first home game of the new year, getting a late goal from Valerie DuVal to force overtime, but it would not be enough as the Rams would pot the overtime winner to defeat the Golden Bears by a final score of 4-3. 

Records:

• Western New England: 10-6, 4-5 CNE
• Suffolk University: 7-8, 5-4 CNE

How it Happened:

After defeating the Rams of Suffolk by a final score of 5-1 on Friday night, the Golden Bears would see the Rams come out of the gates with some early momentum, taking four quick shots on goal, though all would be saved by Kayla Ireland, who made the start between the pipes for Western New England on Saturday. Suffolk would have the better of the play for the first six minutes of the game before they would be called with a penalty, giving WNE a power play chance. Just six seconds into the PP chance, Allison Walker would win the faceoff and send the puck back to Alexa Paoli, who wristed a shot on goal that would be saved, but a big rebound would find the stick of Maddie Pope, who buried her fourth goal of the season to put the Golden Bears ahead 1-0. The Western New England lead would last for just four minutes before the Rams would get on the board for the first time in the game as Maddie Gagliano would pot her third goal of the season on a
faceoff win, evening the score at one. Neither team would come up with a goal, as both Ireland and Katelyn Michals would come up with saves that would take the period to one-all after one. Suffolk led the shots department in the first, 13-8.

The Golden Bears carried the majority of the momentum through the first four minutes of the second frame, sending three shots on goal, none past the Suffolk goalkeeper. Suffolk would respond with their first lead of the game on their second shot on goal of the period when Alessia Di Silverstro picked up the tally on a partial breakaway for the Rams and would sneak the shot through the five-hole of Ireland, giving the Rams a 2-1 lead. Shortly after, Western New England would pick up a power play but would not be able to come away with a goal. Suffolk carried the better of the play through the midway point of the second period until the Golden Bears were able to draw another penalty in the period and would go back on the power play. After two good chances on their PP, the Golden Bears would again be stymied. The blue and gold picked up their third power play chance in the period in the late stages of the second period, which produced their best power play of the second period, but Western New England would not be able to come away with a goal, trailing 2-1 after two periods of play. The Golden Bears took 13 shots on goal in the frame but could not get a shot past Michals.

Suffolk quickly put a wrench into Western New England's plans with an early goal as the Rams recorded the first goal of the period and would take a 3-1 lead as Anya Nichipor recorded the Rams' third goal of the night just 1:33 into the third period. Western New England would quickly fight back with Alyssa Murphy and Zoe Galanoudis taking shots on goal, though both would be saved. Allison Walker would get the next chance for WNE and would not miss, turning the puck towards goal and stuffing the puck through the crowd in front of the net and into the back of the goal, giving the Golden Bears some life in the early stages of the third period. Maddie Pope and Michaela Birmingham picked up assists on the play for the Golden Bears. Both teams would have their own chances heading into the final stretch of the third period, though both goalies would stay strong. The Golden Bears were awarded another power play in the contest with just 6:04 remaining in the third period. WNE would take four shots on goal on the power play but would not score. Just three seconds following the expiration of the power play, Valerie DuVal would pick up a goal for the Golden Bears with 4:01 left in the period to tie the game at four for the Golden Bears. Brie Dube and Ziya Damas recorded assists on the play for DuVal's fourth goal of the season. The game would need extra time to complete.

Suffolk started the overtime on the power play in which the Rams would get no shots on goal during it. Kayla Ireland would come up with three saves in the OT frame, though Suffolk would end the overtime at the 2:10 mark when Kate Pohl won the game for the Rams in overtime by a final score of 4-3.

Inside the Lines:

• Valerie DuVal's third-period goal late would be a difference maker, allowing the Golden Bears to earn a point in the CNE standings.
• Both Maddie Pope and Allison Walker picked up two points each in the game.
• Suffolk outshot Western New England 36-31 in the game and led in shot attempts 69-54.
• Western New England was 1/5 on the power play while Suffolk was 0/2.
• Suffolk's Kate Pohl won the game in OT for the Rams, picking up her sixth goal of the season.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England continues CNE play on Friday, January 24, at 8:00 PM from the Olympia Ice Center to take on Johnson & Wales University.