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Western New England University

The Official Home of Western New England University Athletics
11.7 WIH
4
Winner Western New England WNE 3-0-0, 1-0-0
1
Univ. of New England UNE 1-2-0, 0-1-0
Winner
Western New England WNE
3-0-0, 1-0-0
4
Final
1
Univ. of New England UNE
1-2-0, 0-1-0
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 F
Western New England WNE 1 0 3 4
Univ. of New England UNE 0 1 0 1

Game Recap: Women's Ice Hockey |

Pope and the Golden Bears Fight Off the Storm, Pick Up First Conference Victory of the Season 4-1

BIDDEFORD, ME. (November 7, 2025) – The Golden Bears traveled to Maine for their conference opener versus UNE. The Golden Bears got the scoring started in the first thanks to a Ziya Damas goal. However, UNE would respond in the second with a goal and leave the third period for both teams to try to find the game-winner. It was WNE and Maddie Pope who found the game-winning goal, along with additional goals, as Pope scored two and Ava Camelio added one to secure the team's first conference victory of the season.

Records:

Western New England: 3-0-0 (1-0-0)

University of New England: 1-2-0 (0-0-0)

How it Happened:

First Period:

  • The Golden Bears started Rachael Irving in net while Danielle DeJon got the nod for the Nor'Easters.
  • WNE got out to a quick start with four of the first five shots. DeJon had to make two saves, while Irving had to make a save on the lone UNE shot.
  • At 7:28 into the opening period of play, Mabel Gerard found Kaylin O'Connor with a pass, leading to a pass to Ziya Damas. Damas would send the puck crashing into the net, and WNE had an early 1-0 lead.
  • UNE responded with intensity. They had six shots in a row before Jenna Lynch sent a shot at DeJon, which DeJon saved.
  • UNE had a power play chance in the 14th minute of the first. WNE limited them to two shots and no goals.
  • The teams traded shots for the rest of the first period of play. The first-period stats were as follows: both teams had a total of twelve shots and eight shots on goal. WNE was called for one penalty and had more saves, 8-7. They also led in faceoff wins, 9-5.

Second Period:

  • WNE was called for an early penalty in the second period. UNE only had three shots and one shot on goal during their second power play.
  • WNE responded with four of the next five shots and tried to get back on the front foot and send pressure at DeJon and the UNE defense.
  • The teams traded shot chances for most of the middle portion of the second period of play.
  • UNE would strike in the 14th minute of play. Averi Curran would score by herself to level the contest and create a new game tied 1-1.
  • The teams traded shots before a UNE penalty sent WNE to the power play. WNE had five shots, with four on goal, to end the second period during the power-play chance.
  • The second-half statistics were as follows: WNE had more shots on goal (12-9), shots (17-13), and faceoff wins (8-6). Both teams had a penalty. UNE had more saves, 12-8.

Third Period:

  • Maddie Pope started the second in style as Pope got a pass from Mikayla Mrzywka and found the net. WNE led 2-1 2:15 into the third period.
  • UNE had the next shot, but WNE responded with three more shots. The teams would trade shots, with WNE accumulating a few more than UNE. UNE was then called for a tripping penalty, and WNE was on the power play.
  • WNE had three shots before Ava Camelio would score her first career Golden Bear goal 9:07 into the third. Valerie DuVal and Katie Collins were credited with the assists. WNE led 3-1.
  • UNE would pour the shots on after that. They had four in a row and five of the next seven shots.
  • WNE responded with a couple of shots before Maddie Pope netted her second goal of the day. Mischa Palmitesso fed Pope the assist, and WNE was well on their way to a big conference opening-day win.
  • UNE would send a few more shots on goal, but Irving made the saves and WNE earned a well-deserved 4-1 win.

Inside the Crease:

  • The Golden Bears defeated UNE 4-1.
  • 1st Period 7:28 – Ziya Damas scored off assists from Kaylin O'Connor and Mabel Gerard. WNE led 1-0.
  • 2nd Period 13:04 – Averi Curran scored for UNE off assists from Danielle McCarthy. The score was tied 1-1.
  • 3rd Period 2:15 – Maddie Pope scored off a Mikayla Mrzywka assist. WNE led 2-1.
  • 3rd Period 9:07 – Ava Camelio found the back of the goal off assists from Valerie DuVal and Katie Collis. WNE led 3-1.
  • 3rd Period 17:54 – Maddie Pope scored a second goal off an assist from Mischa Palmitesso. WNE led 4-1.
  • Final Stats: WNE led in shots on goal, 30-25, and faceoff wins, 28-19. UNE had more saves, 26-24, and blocked shots, 11-4. Both teams had two penalties each.
Coach's Corner:
Coach Katie Zimmerman was asked what the message was to the team tied 1-1 going into the third period that sparked three goals in the third. "The message going into the third was about relying on simple habits and having fun with the tempo and action. We got the energy going!" Zimmerman stated.
Maddie Pope was then asked for a comment about what she liked about her and her team's performance today and what changed going into the third that led to the two goals scored by Pope. "I like how we kept improving our game and making the necessary adjustments. Everybody bought into our system and it paid off in the end. I think the energy in the locker room in between the second and third is what really got everything in motion," Pope mentioned.

Up Next on the Schedule:

  • The Golden Bears and Nor'Easters will travel to West Springfield for their second game of their CNE weekend doubleheader. The game will be played at the Olympia Ice Center on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 5:00 PM.
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