WORCESTER, Mass. (October 31, 2025) – The Western New England women's ice hockey team scored three third-period goals on Friday evening in the season opener to rally past the Lancers of Worcester State University on the road, taking the opener by a final score of 3-1. 

Records:

• Western New England: 1-0
• Worcester State University: 0-1

How it Happened:

First Period:

• The first seven shots of the period belonged to the Golden Bears, four of which were on goal. AnnaBelle Calvanese, Caroline Bliss, Zoe Galanoudis, and Kaylin O'Connor all had early chances for the Golden Bears, but Worcester State's Kelsey Czerniawski turned away WNE's chances. The best chance of the opening period came from Ava Camelio, who hit the post on a chance just four minutes into the game. 
• The Golden Bears had the only power play in the opening period, generating four shots on goal, but could not find the back of the net. Western New England continued to carry much of the offensive play in the opening period, but would not be able to capitalize.
• Worcester State took over the offensive play in the final five minutes of the frame, but Rachael Irving, making her WNE debut, was up to the task, stopping all six shots she faced to keep the Lancers off the board. WNE outshot WSU 14–6 in the opening frame". 

Second Period:

• The blue and gold got right back to their offensive attack to begin the second period, testing Czerniawski early and often, registering seven shots on goal through the first eight minutes of the period, but still could not find a goal. Western New England earned its second power play of the game at the 6:31 mark of the second frame and put three more shots on net, all turned aside by Czerniawski.
• Following the expiration of WNE's power play, Worcester State picked up its first power play of the season and capitalized on the chance, scoring the first goal of the game. Off a faceoff win, the Lancers cycled the puck as Ryan Cailey found Avery Ireland at the front post, who then shoveled a pass across the crease to Abbey Millman. Millman ripped a shot into the top-right corner, giving the Lancers a 1-0 lead with 10:24 remaining in the period. Worcester State continued to apply pressure to Irving and the Golden Bears, but the WNE defense came up with a handful of blocked shots to keep the Lancers from doubling their lead. 
• The final five minutes of the period belonged to the Golden Bears, who produced five more shots on goal, but were still in search of their first goal of the season, trailing 1-0 after 40 minutes of play. WNE trailed 1–0 despite outshooting Worcester State 14–8 in the frame and winning 16 of 20 faceoffs. 

Third Period:

• Despite not finding the back of the net in the first 40 minutes of play, the Golden Bears continued to fire shots on goal, hoping for a bounce to go their way to even the score. WNE got a bounce 5:35 into the third period to find their first goal of the game to even the score at one. Michaela Birmingham's shot was originally saved by Czerniawski, but a rebound was jammed home by Mabel Gerard, evening the score at one. 
• Just 32 seconds later, the Golden Bears took their first lead of the season as Kelsey Joiner tapped home a shot on the back door on an assist from Gerard, giving the Golden Bears a 2-1 lead. Worcester State found its offense again at the midway point of the third period, but Rachael Irving made a pair of saves to keep Western New England in front. 
• The Lancers picked up a power play with seven minutes remaining in the period but could not score as the WNE penalty kill came up strong. The Golden Bears were rewarded with a goal following the penalty kill as Katie Collins found the back of the net on a scramble play in front of the goal, her first career goal, giving the Golden Bears a 3-1 lead. WNE held onto their lead in the final three minutes of the period, coming away with the two-goal victory in the opening game of the season. 

Inside the Lines:

• Mabel Gerard, Kelsey Joiner, and Katie Collins all found the back of the net for WNE in the victory, all third-period goals. 
• Western New England took 43 shots on goal on Friday evening, led by Gerard, who had six. 
• Rachael Irving made 24 saves on 25 shots faced, coming off her CNE Goalie of the Year honors last year.
• WNE improved to 4-1-2 against Worcester State all-time. Friday's game marks the second straight that ended in a 3-1 score, both favoring the Golden Bears. 
• The Golden Bears improve to a perfect 5-0 all-time on opening day.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England's home opener will be on Saturday, November 1, at the Olympia Ice Center at 5:00 PM, hosting Rivier University.