Endicott Nets Two Goals to Down WNE in the CCC Semifinals

Beverly, Mass. (February 25, 2023) - The Golden Bears drove to Beverly, Massachusetts, for a CCC semifinal matchup with the Endicott Gulls. After a scoreless first period, Endicott would notch a goal in each of the last two periods to take down the Golden Bears 2-0 and move on to the CCC final.

Records:

• Western New England: 15-8-3 (10-6-2)
• Endicott College: 17-7-2 (14-4-0)

How it Happened:

The game started with a Sydney Fascetta faceoff win. That led to a quick shot from the Gulls, but Abby Hay got in the way and blocked the shot. Payton Hanson got the first shot on net for the Gulls. Rieley Jessie-Gerelli was there for the first of many saves. After many shots on Jessie-Gerelli, Natalie Parker got the first shot on net for WNE. Endicott's goalie, Michaela O'Brien, got in the way for the save. With 5:42 left in the first period of play, WNE drew a penalty and went on the power play. WNE was able to get two shots on O'Brien. Kelly Yorkey had the first shot, and Alyssa Murphy with the second. O'Brien made each save easily and kept the game at 0-0. Maddie Pope had the best opportunity of the period with two minutes left. Pope got the puck and, as always, put a fierce shot on goal, and it got past O'Brien, but the pipe bailed out Endicott, and the game stayed tied at zero. After a couple more shots were saved by O'Brien, the Gulls, and Golden Bears went into the first intermission tied at zero. O'Brien made nine saves for the Gulls. Jessie-Gerelli countered with 17 saves on the other end of the ice. 

Fascetta won the puck from Maddy Tucker on the opening faceoff of the second period. WNE was called for a penalty a minute into the period, and Endicott had their first power play opportunity. Jessie-Gerelli made two saves during the power play, and the penalty was killed off. After the power play, Endicott looked possessed as they made Jessie-Gerelli make seven straight saves before the Golden Bears could get a shot on O'Brien. Then, Jessie0Gerelli had to make two more. However, after all these shots, one was bound to trickle into the back of the net. With 11:58 left in the second period, Mackenzie Villiard won a faceoff in the WNE zone. The puck was given back to Abbey Agrodnia. Agrodnia sent a shot at Jessie-Gerelli. The shot glanced off the pipe and over to Lindsay Goodman, who was skating toward the net and put the puck into the twine of the net. The score was 1-0 Gulls. After that, the Golden Bears got two quick shots on O'brien, but no luck. Jessie-Gerelli then had another streak of six saves without a shot getting on O'brien. O'Brien made a few saves after that. However, the period would end with Endicott getting three of the last four shots on net against Jessie-Gerelli. The score going into the second intermission was 1-0 Endicott. Jessie-Gerelli saved 21 out of 22 shots on goal during the period. O'Brien made six saves during the period.

The final period of play got underway with a Maggie Holt faceoff win, but just after, WNE got caught for tripping, and Endicott went on the power play. O'Brien had to make a save during the Endicott power play, but then Endicott would get one on Jessie-Gerelli and nothing more during the power play. WNE put pressure on O'Brien with the momentum shifting to the Golden Bears with the penalty kill completed. Endicott would quickly change that with five shots on Jessie-Gerelli. O'Brien would follow up with two saves. Then, a few more by Jessie-Gerelli. With the game coming to an end, Endicott doubled their lead. After an icing call kept WNE on the ice while Endicott changed lines, Fascetta made the most of the opportunity by winning the faceoff and getting the puck to Samantha Fantasia. Fantasia sent the puck hurling toward Jessie-Gerelli, and it snuck past. Endicott had the lead 2-0. WNE would pull the goalie with 1:30 left in the game but could not get a goal, and the game ended with the score being 2-0 in favor of Endicott. Jessie-Gerelli made a total of 55 saves. O'Brien made all 25 saves that had to be made to shut out WNE. 

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears traveled to Beverly, Massachusetts, for the CCC semifinals against Endicott.
• Lindsay Goodman scored the first goal of the game in the second period. Villiard and Agrodnia were credited with assists.
• Samantha Fantasia scored to double the lead in the second period. Fascetta was given the assist. 
• Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made 55 saves on 57 shots on goal. 
• Michaela O'Brien made 25 of 25 saves in the 2-0 Endicott win.
• The Golden Bears end the season with a 15-8-3 record and their first semifinal appearance in program history.