Cronin, Jessie-Gerelli Lead Women’s Hockey to 4-0 Shutout Win over Previously Undefeated Suffolk University

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (December 7, 2021) – The Western New England women's ice hockey team took to the ice for the final time in 2021, wrapping up th first portion of the schedule by taking down one of the Commonwealth Coast Conference's top teams, the Suffolk University Rams by a final score of 4-0. First year Katie Cronin cashed in on her first collegiate goal in her career, followed up by adding two additional goals, finishing with the hat-trick on the night. Rieley Jessie-Gerelli completed a 47 save shutout in the win. 

Records:

• Western New England: 5-4-1 (3-4 CCC)
• Suffolk University: 8-1 (4-1 CCC)

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears, who are coming off a CCC win at University of New England just three days ago, got the game started with a rebound goal just 5:26 into the first period. After Emma Birmingham was able to successfully send a pass over to Alexa Paoli, Paoli made a pass just around the net to Katie Cronin who took towards the left side circle and took a wrist shot that beat goaltender Lily O'Neil and into the twine to give WNE the early 1-0 lead. Cronin picks up her first career goal as a member of the Golden Bears to give WNE the early edge. 

Just over three minutes after the Cronin tally Allison Walker was able to stuff home a rebound to give the Golden Bears the 2-0 lead. Helen Gillespy would take a shot towards goal that would deflect off Sydney Conte and trickle towards goal. Walker would jam the puck towards goal with Sydney O'Neil making the first save, though Walker was able to jump on a loose puck and slide it through the five-hole of O'Neil and into the back of the net to give Western New England the 2-0 lead with the shots advantage being 7-2 in favor of WNE. Suffolk, however, would come by for the final ten out of 11 shots to end the period, though Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made all 12 stops in the first period to keep the Suffolk offense at bay.

The Golden Bears would take advantage of a powerplay chance early in the second period when Suffolk's Maddy Burton was whistled for interference to push WNE to an advantage. After some slick puck movement by the Golden Bears, the puck would find the tape of Cronin who was able to take a shot past O'Neil for Suffolk and into the back of the net to give WNE the 3-0 lead. Maddy Tucker and Emma Birmingham would pick up assists on the goal. The Rams offense would not slow down after the Golden Bears goal as Suffolk came away with 18 second period shots, though none of them would get past Jessie-Gerelli as she was able to make all 30 saves through two periods of play. 

Looking for an additional insurance goal, the Golden Bears were awarded with their fifth powerplay chance of the night and were able to capitalize for the second time on the night. After the Golden Bears saw puck movement from both Birmingham and Tucker, WNE was able to move the puck to the left post where Cronin was moving. Cronin was able to take the pass and chip the puck up and over the left shoulder of O'Neil and into the net for her third goal of the game to give Western New England the 4-0 lead. The Golden Bears relied heavily of their defensive play down the stretch as the Rams came away with 17 shots on goal in the period, though all 17 shots, plus the 30 shots from the first 40 minutes of play were taken in and swallowed by Jessie-Gerelli, picking up her second shutout of the season in a 4-0 win for Western New England over previously unbeaten Suffolk. 

Inside the Crease:

• First year Katie Cronin is the first in Western New England's women's ice hockey program to score three goals in one game. Cronin was able to pick up two powerplay goals to go along with her even strength second period goal in the 4-0 win for WNE. 
• Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made all 47 saves in the win for the Golden Bears. On the season, Jessie-Gerelli has made 372 saves in her nine starts. Her 47 save performance is the second most saves she has had this season (55 at Endicott 11/20)
• Emma Birmingham was able to factor in on three out of the four goals on the night, picking up three assists. Teammate Maddy Tucker collected two assists in the win. 
• The Golden Bears were successful on 30/57 faceoffs, while Abby Hay led the way for WNE going 11/16 in the circle. 
• The Golden Bears went 2/5 on the powerplay while Suffolk failed to convert on three opportunities.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England heads into the holiday break with a 5-4-1 record, dotting a 3-4 record in CCC play. The Golden Bears will next play in the second half of the 2021-2022 schedule when they are on the road on New Year's Day as they travel to Arcadia University for a 5:00 pm puck drop.
• Suffolk University travels to Trinity (Conn.) University on Friday, December 10 for their final game of the 2021 portion of the schedule. Suffolk will meet Western New England again at the Olympia Ice Center on Friday, January 14, 2022.