WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 21, 2026) – The Western New England women's ice hockey team took control of the final regular season game of the year, defeating the Nor'easters of the University of New England by a final score of 5-0. Seniors Zoe Galanoudis and Maddie Pope both picked up a point, as both were honored prior to puck drop on Senior Day. 

Records:

• Western New England: 17-7-1, 13-4-1 CNE
• University of New England: 10-14-1, 6-11-1 CNE

How it Happened:
F
irst Period:

• Western New England celebrated its senior class, Zoe Galanoudis and Maddie Pope, prior to puck drop. UNE came out with the opening shot on goal in the game as Rachael Irving made her 23^rd start of the season in a 25-game regular season. The Golden Bears picked up three straight shots, though none on goal, as Galanoudis and Leah Dube had attempts, but had yet to test UNE's Kyleigh Matola in the opening six minutes of the game. 
• UNE had a quick seven shots on goal in the first eight minutes of the game before the Golden Bears had their first shot on Matola, when Valerie DuVal came up with a chance. WNE took nine shots in the opening ten minutes of play, but put just two on goal as DuVal and Ava Camelio had the two Western New England chances. Shots began to even out as WNE found its offensive game and scored the first goal of the game. 
• On an attempted clear from the Nor'easters, a misplay allowed Zoe Galanoudis to find the puck and win a board battle. The puck found the point where Michaela Birmingham's wrister was blocked down in front, but found by DuVal, who made no mistake open in front of the goal, scoring her first of the season, giving Western New England a 1-0 lead. The lead would hold after the first 20 minutes of play, despite WNE threatening for more with a late power play in the period.
• Western New England took 25 total shots in the period, putting eight on goal. UNE also had eight shots in the frame, all turned aside by Irving.  

Second Period:

• The Nor'easters had a power play in the opening two minutes of the game, a power play that produced three shots on Rachael Irving, who made all three saves. The Golden Bears capitalized on their first power play chance of the game when Mabel Gerard made an incredible move to get into the goal and netted her 14^th goal of the season on assists from Michaela Birmingham and Rachael Irving, giving WNE a 2-0 lead. 
• Gerard had Western New England's third goal of the afternoon, another outstanding move to get to the net on an assist from Maddie Pope, her 15^th goal this season, giving the Golden Bears a 3-0 lead. The Golden Bears continued to dominate the third period, scoring their third goal of the frame when Katie Collins took a wrist shot that fooled Matola, giving WNE a 4-0 lead. Caroline Bliss and Birmingham added assists, seeing the Golden Bears take total control of the game, leading by four goals after the period.
• UNE had their offensive chances, taking 14 shots on goal, with Irving taking in all 14. Western New England had 15 shots on goal in the second period, three that found the back of the net. 

Third Period:

• The Golden Bears started the third period on the power play as UNE changed their goalkeeper, seeing Danielle DeJon take over between the pipes. WNE took three shots on the new UNE goalkeeper, who made all three saves to keep the Golden Bears off the scoreboard. WNE continued to push and came up with their fifth goal of the game as Leah Dube's third goal in four games got past DeJon on a shot from the point, her fourth of the season, giving the Golden Bears a 5-0 lead. Mischa Palmitesso and Caroline Bliss earned an assist on the goal. 
• Following the goal, both teams exchanged chances, with UNE looking for their first goal of the game. UNE had back-to-back chances with six minutes left, with Hannah Humes and Kaylen Taddia picking up chances on Irving, who stood tall and made every save on the afternoon, lifting Western New England to a 5-0 senior day victory.

Inside the Lines:

• Mabel Gerard led WNE with a pair of goals in the win while winning eight faceoffs. 
• Michaela Birmingham led all players with three points, all assists. 
• Caroline Bliss recorded a pair of assists for Western New England, while Mischa Palmitesso, Leah Dube, Valerie DuVal, Katie Collins, and seniors Maddie Pope and Zoe Galanoudis, all had a point each. 
• Rachael Irving bounced back from a Friday night loss and came away with a 34-save shutout, her second of the season. 
• UNE had the 34-31 shots on goal advantage in the game while WNE totaled 67 shots to UNE 58 overall. 
• WNE sweeps the regular-season series with the Nor'easters, outscoring UNE 11-2 over three games. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• This story will be updated at the end of the night with seeding and opponent for the upcoming Conference of New England Tournament. WNE will host an opponent on Saturday, February 28, at 5:00 PM from the Olympia Ice Center as either the one or two seed.