Women’s Ice Hockey Comes Back from Two Down to Complete Comeback over UNE

BIDDEFORD, Maine (December 4, 2021) – The Western New England women's ice hockey team saw their team trail 2-0 after two periods of play but were sparked with a fire powered offense in the third period as the Golden Bears scored three times in the third period to rally from behind and defeat the Nor'easters of the University of New England on Saturday evening from Harold Alfond Forum.

Records:

• Western New England: 4-4-1 (2-4 CCC)
• University of New England: 3-7 (3-5 CCC)

How it Happened:

Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made the start again for the Golden Bears against the Nor'easters and continued make big save after big save to start the contest for Western New England as the Nor'easters looked to start the scoring of the contest right away as they did on Friday night at the Olympia Ice Center. UNE would take 12 first period shots, though two would slip by Jessie-Gerelli as UNE took the 2-0 lead to end the first frame. Avery Lutrzykowski would score with under five minutes to play in the first period on an assist from Izzy Hendry to give UNE the 1-0 lead. With 32 seconds left in the first period, Bella Crugnale scored from Meghan Hamilton and Eliana Kane to give UNE that 2-0 lead. Western New England could only come away with six first period shots, which were all turned aside by Kaleigh Laurendeau for UNE.

The second period saw no scoring and just a single powerplay opportunity for the Nor'easters when the Golden Bears saw Alexa Paoli whistled for hooking with 5:11 to play in the frame. Jessie-Gerelli would collect all 18 saves in the second period, marking her total to 28 through the first 40 minutes of play. WNE came away with an additional six shots in the period, though none found their way into the back of the goal.

The third period saw Western New England collect their first goal of the game just 3 minutes and 18 seconds in the frame when Alyssa Murphy was able to capitalize on an unassisted tally to cut the Nor'easters deficit to just one goal.  At the midway point of the period, Western New England would grab a powerplay chance when Bella Crugnale was caught with a minor for tripping, leading to the Golden Bears first powerplay chance of the contest. On their chance, WNE would take advantage of the advantage as Natalie Parker would score 9:52 into the period to even the score at two. Parker would be assisted by Katie Cronin and Paoli as the Golden Bears would look to continue their third period goal scoring. UNE would take 15 shots in the third period, all which were denied by Jessie-Gerelli.

Western New England would take advantage of an opportunity with just over three minutes to play and would capitalize on a goal when Murphy found twine of her second goal of the game to give Western New England their first lead of the game, and first lead against the Nor'easters on the season. With the goal, Murphy collects her team leading 6^th goal on the season to put the Golden Bears ahead 3-2. UNE would take three more shots in the contest following the goal ahead goal for the Golden Bears, though none of their shots would find twine as the Golden Bears third period comeback would complete with a 3-2 win over the University of New England.

Inside the Crease:

• Alyssa Murphy led the way for the Golden Bears, scoring two goals on the Golden Bears way to a three goal third period. Murphy now has six goals to go along with her one helper on the year, good for seven points.
• Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made 43 saves in the win, allowing just two goals. Jessie-Gerelli has six starts this season with at least 40 saves, while dotting a .937 save percentage through eight starts.
• Emma Birmingham won over half her faceoffs, going 10/19 in the faceoff circle on Saturday evening.
• The Golden Bears capitalized on their lone powerplay chance of the night going 1/1. UNE failed to convert on their only powerplay chance, going 0/1.
• WNE picks up their first win since November 5 when they knocked off CCC opponent Curry College 2-1.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England has a quick turnaround as they will host the Rams of Suffolk University on Tuesday, December 7 at 7:00 pm from the Olympia Ice Center.
• UNE is off until the new year and will travel to Wesleyan University on January 2, 2022 for a 4:00 pm puck drop.