Women’s Ice Hockey Falls to Salve Regina 2-1

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 22, 2022) – The Western New England women's ice hockey team was unable to knock off the Seahawks of Salve Regina on home ice Saturday night, dropping the contest 2-1 in a tight game.

Records:

• Western New England: 6-10-2 (4-7 CCC)
• Salve Regina University: 3-9-1 (2-5-1 CCC)

How it Happened:

Salve Regina was able to dominate much of the first period of play when the Seahawks took 15 first period shots on goaltender Rieley Jessie-Gerelli. Emma Breen was able to open the scoring for SRU as she was able to rip a snapshot from the blueline on net that found its way past the glove of Jessie-Gerelli and into the goal to give Salve the 1-0 lead. Western New England could only come up with five first period shots as Madison Jalbert made all five saves in the period. 

In the second period, Western New England would break their zero on the scoreboard by scoring a goal to tie the game. After Salve Regina went off for a line change, Alexa Paoli would take the puck into the offensive zone and take a quick shot on Jalbert which challenged her, and fell into the back of the net to even the score. Paoli scores her second goal of the season for the Golden Bears. SRU outshot WNE 8-6 in the period, though no goals came through for the Seahawks, heading into the third period with an even score. 

In the third period, WNE would surrender a quick goal, just 2:08 into the period when Jillian Egan snuck a shot past the Golden Bears defense and into the goal to give the Seahawks the 2-1 lead. WNE would pressure Jalbert and the Seahawks for another goal as they looked to even the score, though the Golden Bears would come out unsuccessful in their effort to tie the game, as Salve Regina University would come away with the 2-1 win at the Olympia Ice Center. 

Inside the Crease:

• Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made 30 saves for WNE in the loss. Prior to tonight, the Golden Bears had won three straight that Jessie-Gerelli has started. 
• WNE was unsuccessful on the powerplay, going 0/3. The Golden Bears penalty kill was a perfect 4/4. 
• WNE won 22/36 faceoffs in the loss. Allison Walker was successful in 10/16 draws. 
• Salve Regina would outshoot WNE 32-19 in the contest. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE battels with Nichols College on Friday, January 28 at 4:40 pm at the June Rockwell Levy Rink.
• Salve Regina sees Curry College for three straight, starting on Tuesday, January 25 at 3:00 pm.