WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 16, 2026) – The Golden Bears welcomed Roger Williams University to town for the first time in program history on Friday evening. After a slower start to the game than the other day, Billy VanSumeren found the opening goal for WNE to put them ahead 1-0 early in the second period of play. Daxton St. Hilaire played spoiler late in the third for the Hawks, tying it at 1, and the game went to overtime. However, it would not matter as Brayden Patricia would win it for the Golden Bears in overtime to secure WNE's second conference win of the season.

Records:
Western New England: 4-11-0 (2-8-0)
Roger Williams University: 5-11-0 (3-8-0)

How it Happened:
First Period:

• The two teams played to a scoreless draw in the first period. However, it was not for a lack of shots. The back-and-forth play saw 11 shots on goal for each team, with Nikita Volsky and Jacob Jaslow each taking care of them.
• The Golden Bears were responsible for the lone power play of the first. WNE only had two shots on their power play and could not capitalize.
• Roger Williams had a slight advantage in the first after taking more total shots, with 25 compared to WNE's 18, and winning more faceoffs, 14-7.

Second Period:

• Billy VanSumeren would break through and get the opening goal for the Golden Bears early in the second. Nikita Volsky made a big save, which rebounded to VanSumeren, who passed it to Kyle Walker skating down ice. Walker sent a shot at goal, which was saved, but the rebound found VanSumeren, who scored 3:10 into the second period of play. WNE led 1-0.
• The Golden Bears controlled much of the second period, including a second power-play chance. Unfortunately, WNE only took two shots, and RWU had one as well during that power play.
• Although WNE had the lead and felt in control during the second period, RWU did have more shots on goal, 17-16, and total shots were equal, 26-26. WNE did win more faceoffs, 10-3. They led 1-0 with twenty minutes left in regulation.

Third Period:

• The third period of play mirrored the first for the majority of play. Both teams flew down the ice looking for goal-scoring chances, but could not find one immediately.
• Daxton St. Hilaire changed that for RWU as he found the back of the net on a rebound. Seth Rakosky found Aidan Radic, who sent a shot at Volsky. The shot was saved, but St. Hilaire poked the puck into the goal, and the score was tied 1-1 with 6:07 left in regulation.
• The Hawks had major opportunities late in the third, but Volsky and the WNE defense stood strong to force overtime. Roger Williams had the better third period of play, but WNE would hold on to force overtime.

Overtime:

• The Hawks won the opening faceoff, but it was the Golden Bears who got the first few shots of overtime. Volsky would make a massive breakaway save to keep WNE in the game, and Brayden Patricia would thank Volsky by not giving up on the offensive end.
• Brayden Patricia got the puck after a won faceoff by Everest Schneider. Patricia would get stopped by Jaslow on the first chance, but Patricia found the back of the net on the second chance and won the game for WNE 2-1.

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears defeated the Hawks 2-1 in overtime.
• Billy VanSumeren had the first goal for WNE, with Brayden Patricia being the hero for WNE and scoring the game-winner in overtime.
• Daxton St. Hilaire scored the lone RWU goal.
• The goalie battle saw Jacob Jaslow have 43 saves and a .956 save percentage. Nikita Volsky had 45 saves and a .978 save percentage.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears and Hawks will travel to Fall River, Massachusetts, and Driscoll Arena for game two of their weekend home-and-home matchup on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 4:00 PM.