Women's Ice Hockey Dropped by No. 10 Endicott

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 21, 2021) – The Western New England women's ice hockey team was unable to find the back of the net as the Endicott College Gulls scored on three of their four powerplay chances on their way to a 5-0 win over the Golden Bears from the Olympia Ice Center on Sunday night. 

Records: 

• Western New England: 3-3-1 (1-3 CCC)
• No. 10 Endicott College: 6-1-0 (5-1-0 CCC)

How it Happened: 

Western New England was able to hold off the high-powered Endicott offense in the first period as the Golden Bears and Gulls would fight for shots in the first 20 minutes of play. Endicott, as they did in all three periods of yesterday's game, outshot the Golden Bears through the first period 18-6. Rieley Jessie-Gerelli turned in another stellar performance, making all 18 saves though the first period of play. Western New England would get their best chance at goal early in the period on the powerplay though both Kelly Yorkey and Abby Hay would be denied by Gulls goaltender Bailey Thieben to keep the score even at zero. 

The Gulls found their offensive ways late in the second period and tallies three goals in two minutes and ten seconds to take a quick 3-0 lead. Kaylee Liberty would score her first goal of the season on a powerplay chance on assists from Jess Burwell and Kellie Popkin to give Endicott the game's first goal. Another powerplay goal just one minute and 18 seconds later gave the Gulls a 2-0 lead when Samantha Fantasia scored on assists from Madison Hentosh and Popkin. After another minute went by, the Gulls third goal would squeeze past the Golden Bears defense and find twine off the stick of Sydney Fascetta on assists from Molly Coyne and Aurora Devereaux. The Gulls would take a 3-0 lead heading into the locker room after 40 minutes of play as Jessie-Gerelli made an additional 17 saves in the second period. Western New England did come away with 14 shots in the second period, though Thieban stood tall for Endicott, coming away with all 14 saves. 

Endicott would tally two additional goals in the third period as Courtney Sullivan would pick the top right corner of the net on a backhand chance that went off the post and into the net to give the Gulls a 4-0 lead. Quin Healy and Kat Keith assisted on the tally from Sullivan. Just under four minutes later, a powerplay chance for the Gulls would cash in as Jacy Kuhlman would net her fourth of the season with helpers from Tara Henshaw and Kaylee Liberty to give Endicott the 5-0 lead. Western New England would come through for four shots in the third period while Endicott put together 15 on their way to a 5-0 win over the Golden Bears. 

Inside the Crease: 

• Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made 48 saves in the losing effort. Jessie-Gerelli made 103 saves over the weekend and has 249 total in six games this season. 
• Endicott was successful on 3 of their four powerplays while the Golden Beats were unable to capitalize on any of their four powerplay chances. 
• The Gulls saw two players score their first career collegiate goals in their win. 
• WNE took 24 shots in the contest, marking a period high of 14 in the second. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England meets the University of New England for the first time in school history on Friday, December 3 at 7:00 pm. 
• No. 10 Endicott takes on No. 1 SUNY Plattsburgh on Saturday, November 27 at 3:00 pm as part of the Plattsburgh Cardinal Classic.