MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (November 7, 2026) – The Western New England women's ice hockey team completed a weekend sweep of the Seahawks of Salve Regina University on Saturday evening, earning a 4-0 shutout victory on the road to improve to 3-0-0 on the season. Four different Golden Bears found the back of the net, while goaltender
Rachael Irving turned aside all 31 shots she faced to record her second shutout of the weekend.
Records:
- Western New England: 3-0-0, 2-0-0 CNE
- Salve Regina University: 0-2-0, 0-2-0 CNE
How it Happened:
First Period:
- Western New England wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, striking just 2:21 into the opening period. Mabel Gerard capitalized on a power-play opportunity to score her first goal of the season, with Lilly Ainley and Michaela Birmingham picking up assists to give the Golden Bears an early 1-0 advantage.
- The Golden Bears continued to pressure the Seahawks and doubled their lead at the 10:58 mark of the opening period. Ava Camelio found the back of the net for her first goal of the season, finishing a play set up by Kaylin O'Connor and giving WNE a 2-0 lead.
- Rachael Irving and the Golden Bears' defense kept Salve Regina off the scoreboard throughout the opening frame, taking a two-goal advantage into the first intermission. Irving made six saves in the opening period as WNE outshot Salve Regina 11-6 in the first 20 minutes.
Second Period:
- Irving continued to come up with key saves as Salve Regina looked to get back into the game. The Seahawks generated several opportunities, including a power-play chance, but the Golden Bears' defense held strong early in the second period.
- Western New England extended its lead late in the second period with another power-play goal as Jenna Lynch found the back of the net for her third goal of the season, with Katie Collins and Mabel Gerard recording assists to put WNE ahead 3-0.
- The Golden Bears carried their three-goal advantage into the final period, continuing to limit Salve Regina's scoring opportunities. Salve did pick up 13 shots on goal in the second period, though could not get a shot past Irving.
Third Period:
- The Seahawks opened the third period with pressure, looking to find an early strike and get right back into the game, but Irving and the Western New England defense fended off chances to keep the Golden Bears ahead by three.
- Salve Regina had a stretch of five shots on goal in just over a minute of game action, but the WNE junior goalkeeper continued to stand tall and keep the Seahawks from scoring.
- The Golden Bears added one more goal in the third period to put the game away, rewarding their goaltending for her magnificent play. Julia Lindgren scored on the power play with three minutes remaining in the period, coming up with her first career collegiate goal while Leah Dube and Valerie DuVal picked up the assist to make it a 4-0 contest.
- Rachael Irving finished off the shutout performance, stopping all 31 shots she faced throughout the contest to earn her second straight shutout of the season.
Inside the Lines:
- Four different Golden Bears scored in the victory, with Mabel Gerard, Ava Camelio, Jenna Lynch and Julia Lindgren all finding the back of the net.
- Rachael Irving recorded 31 saves for her second shutout of the season.
- Western New England finished with 25 shots on goal, while Salve Regina recorded 31.
- The Golden Bears scored three power-play goals on five opportunities, while holding the Seahawks scoreless on all three of their power-play chances.
- Gerard led WNE with three points (one goal, two assists).
Up Next on the Schedule:
- WNE hosts a home-and-home CNE series with the Rams of Suffolk University next weekend, playing a home game on Friday, November 13 at 7:40 PM.
