Lancaster Makes 59 Saves in Setback to #14 Endicott

BEVERLY, Mass. (November 11, 2022) – The Western New England men's ice hockey team fell short to top ranked Endicott College on Friday night, as the Gulls peppered Western New England with shots, coming away with 65 total shots on the night, coming away with the 6-1 victory over the Golden Bears.

Records:

• Western New England: 1-4, 0-3 CCC
• #14 Endicott: 4-1, 3-0 CCC

How it Happened:

As one of the top ranked teams in NCAA Division III, the 14^th ranked Gulls of Endicott scored four goals in under six minutes to take early control of the first period. Endicott got the game started after a misplay in front of the net saw Primo Self pass to Andrew Kurapov, who fired the Gulls first goal of the game into the back of the net to go ahead 1-0. Just 1:32 later, Matt Giroux would make a lead pass for Connor Beatty, who found himself all alone in front of the net and scored on a breakaway to give the Gulls a 2-0 lead. Endicott needed less than four minutes later to get on the board for the third time in the period when the Gulls were able to work the puck around the offensive zone before Ryan Willett would collect a goal for Endicott on assists from Connor Amsley and Derek Contessa to give Endicott a quick three goal lead. Just 12 seconds later, Endicott would find their fourth and final tally of the period when the puck bounced around in front of the net, finding the stick of Elliot Clemmons who beat Colten Lancaster giving Endicott a 4-0 lead. Western New England would get on the board with five minutes remaining in the period when Shane Miller found Sam Mitchell for a chance, giving Western New England their first goal of the game. Endicott outshot WNE 24-5 in the opening 20 minutes of the game. 

Primo Self would open the scoring in the second period for EC as just 2:30 into the period, Self would finesse his way by the WNE defense and find the back of the net, giving Endicott a commanding 5-1 lead. Western New England's defense would stay strong throughout the second period while GK Colten Lancaster would make an additional 15 saves in the period as WNE was again out shot big, this time 16-7 in the second period. 

Endicott would score their sixth and final goal at the 5:55 mark of the third period when Derek Contessa fired a goal into the back of the net on assist from Ryan Willett and Connor Amsley to put away the Golden Bears by a final score of 6-1. Western New England goalkeeper Colten Lancaster made 59 saves on 65 shots faced completing a career high in saves in his career. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Gulls and Golden Bears will meet again on Saturday, November 12 at 7:00 pm from the Olympia Ice Center.