Jessie-Gerelli Makes 55 Saves in Setback to No. 10 Endicott

BEVERLY, Mass. (November 20, 2021) – The Western New England women's ice hockey team was unable to solve the hosting Endicott College Gulls on Saturday afternoon, dropping the CCC game 4-1. Rieley Jessie-Gerelli came away with 55 saves in the losing effort while Allison Walker tallied the Golden Bears lone goal. 

Records:

• Western New England: 3-2-1 (1-2 CCC)
• Endicott College: 5-1-0 (4-1-0 CCC)

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears saw goaltender Rieley Jessie-Gerelli come away with four quick saves in the early goings of the game, shutting down the high-powered Endicott offense. The offense for the Gulls would spark five minutes into the contest, however. Jacy Kuhlman was able to get a goal for the Gulls on an assist from Tabitha Franceschini to give EC the 1-0 lead. Endicott would come away with 24 first period shots while Western New England would be able to manage three first period shots. Endicott would score another goal late in the first period as Catherine Miles would tally her first goal of the season and third career goal to give EC the 2-0 advantage heading into the first break. Jessie-Gerelli made 23 saves first period saves. 

The Gulls would strike just seven seconds into the second period for their third goal of the game when Courtney Sullivan took a shot past GK Jessie-Gerelli on assists from Kat Keith and Quin Healy to give Endicott the 3-0 lead. Western New England would fight back less than five minutes after the third tally of the game for the Gulls. Allison Walker would tally her second goal of the season on an assist from Maddy Tucker to cut the Endicott lead from three goals to two. In the period, the Golden Bears came away with seven shots, while Endicott put another big total on the board, putting together 18 shots.

The Golden Bears were called for a penalty just four minutes into the third period and Endicott was able to take advantage of the powerplay situation, scoring their fourth of the night. Kellie Popkin netted her second of the year on assists from Madison Hentosh and Samantha Fantasia to give EC the 4-1 lead. The Golden Bears would come away with four third period shots as Endicott continued to send shots on Jessie-Gerelli, who made 55 saves through 60 minutes of play as the Golden Bears would drop the CCC match by a final score of 4-1. 

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears won 21 faceoffs on the afternoon, while Allison Walker won 8/13 to go along with her goal in the losing effort for WNE. 
• Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made a career high 55 saves in the contest. Jessie-Gerelli now tallies 201 saves in five games this season sporting a 2.36 GAA and a .944 save %. 
• Endicott continues to be unbeaten on home ice, having won all three of their games at Raymond J. Bourque Arena.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Both teams will meet again tomorrow night at the Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield, Mass. with a puck drop scheduled for 6:30 pm.