BEVERLY, Mass. (February 8, 2025) – The women's ice hockey program traveled to Beverly, Massachusetts, to take on the conference-leading Gulls, who were also ranked number 12 in the nation. After Michaela Birmingham answered a Rivers Morris goal in the first period of play to tie the game 1-1, neither goalie would let up another goal in regular time or overtime. That led to a shootout, which went six rounds and saw Endicott win 3-2.

Records:

Western New England: 12-8-2 (6-7-2)

Endicott College: 16-4-1 (11-2-1)

How it Happened:

Allison Walker won the opening faceoff, and the game began. WNE goalie Rachael Irving and Endicott goalie Lauren Ferrari were tested quickly, with each making an early save. Endicott then showed why they are number 12 in the nation as they had six shots in a row, with the sixth shot of that run finding the back of the goal. Rivers Morris got the puck in the WNE defensive zone and netted the opening goal, which gave Endicott the 1-0 lead. Both teams had a shot before WNE was called for a penalty. Endicott had four shots on their power play but no goals. Both teams would have a shot before Michaela Birmingham found the netting for the equalizing goal. Jenna Lynch would send a shot at goal, which was saved. The rebound would find Maddie Pope, who fed a pass to Birmingham, who scored. WNE tied the game at 1-1 8:32 into the contest. Endicott answered with five of the next seven shots before another penalty was called on the Golden Bears. They had six shots on their power play, but Irving and the Golden Bear defense kept them from scoring. WNE had three of the next four shots, trying to turn the momentum. Endicott then concluded the opening period of play with the final 14 shots in a row. Endicott led in shots on goal 22-6, total shots 38-8, and faceoff wins 15-6. WNE led in saves 21-5 and blocked shots 5-0.

The second period of play started with Endicott having the first four shots. Then, the game evened out for a little, with both teams trading shots before six more Endicott shots in a row. They tested the WNE defense, but WNE would not budge. After two WNE shots, Endicott had five more shots in a row and eight of the next nine. They were throwing as many shots at the Golden Bears as they could, but no goals to show for it in the second. After two WNE shots, Endicott was called for a penalty. WNE had four power play shots, with two being on goal and saved. That helped spark the energy of WNE. They had four of the next five shots. The Gulls then ended the second with three of the last four shots. WNE led the second period of play in shots on goal 11-6 and blocked shots 9-4. Endicott had more total shots 24-17, saves 11-6, and faceoff wins 8-4.

The third saw the Golden Bears start strong. They had three of the first four shots. Ferrari had to save all three and did. After another Endicott shot, WNE had four shots in a row and had the momentum with them. Endicott ripped the momentum back by taking the next seven shots. WNE would not shy away from the fight. They tallied four shots in a row in response. Endicott answered with four before WNE went on the power play. Both teams had two shots on the power play. Neither team scored the leading goal. Endicott had four shots in a row to try to get the game-winning goal. Then, WNE took a timeout to try to slow Endicott's momentum. Instead, the Gulls had five of the final six shots to end regular time. At the end of the third period of play, Endicott had more total shots, 24-14, shots on goal, 14-6, and blocked shots, 6-4 in the third. WNE had more faceoff wins 9-8 and saves 14-6.

The contest moved to overtime, where Allison Walker won the opening faceoff, but Samantha Fantasia had the first shot for Endicott. WNE would answer with two shots before Endicott took just as many shots. WNE would take the final two shots, but Lauren Ferrari made both saves, and the game went into a shootout. WNE was up 1-0 after round one, with Jenna Lynch scoring the first shootout goal. The score was 1-1 after the second round of the shootout, where Joey Brown found the goal with a shot. Maddie Pope would score and force a must-make shootout shot for Ella Rago and Endicott. However, Rago scored and moved the shootout to sudden death. The fourth and fifth rounds saw both goalies make saves. The final round saw Lauren Ferrari stop the WNE shot, and Lilly Corso scored to give Endicott the 3-2 shootout win. The final stats saw Endicott lead in total shots 89-43, shots on goal 44-26, and faceoff wins 33-22. WNE led in saves 43-25 and blocked shots 19-11.

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears visited Beverly, Massachusetts, for a conference showdown with Endicott College.
• 1st 4:11 – Rivers Morris gave Endicott the lead with an unassisted goal. Endicott led 1-0.
• 1st 8:32 – Michaela Birmingham scored to even the score at 1-1. Maddie Pope and Jenna Lynch were credited with assisting the goal.
• Shootout – Lilly Corso won the shootout for the Gulls with a sixth-round goal.
• Rachael Irving made 43 saves for the Golden Bears.
• Lauren Ferrari made 25 saves and earned the Gulls the shootout victory.
• Endicott beat WNE 3-2 in a shootout.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears will host the University of New England on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 3:30 PM for Senior Day.
• The Gulls will host the Suffolk University Rams on Friday, February 14, 2025, at 5:00 PM.