Women’s Ice Hockey Ties with UNE, 2-2

BIDDEFORD, Maine (February 5, 2022) – The Western New England women's ice hockey team finalized in a tie on Saturday evening after picking up the first two goals of the game, though surrendering two in the final period, ending the game in a 2-2 deadlock with the hosting University of New England Nor'easters. 

Records:

• Western New England: 6-12-3 (4-9-1 CCC)
• University of New England: 6-9-2 (6-5-2 CCC)

How it Happened: 

The Golden Bears came out firing in the first period, as they were in search of their first win in four games. The Golden Bears would pick up the games first powerplay chance and would record three opportunities at goal as Alexa Paoli, Alyssa Murphy, and Maddy Tucker came away with shots on goal during the advantage, though Delanie Corcoran made three big saves for the Nor'easters to keep WNE off the scoreboard, early. Following the penalty kill, UNE would get some chances on Sierra Dennis, the starter on the evening for Western New England, coming away with back-to-back saves to also keep her opponent off the scoreboard early. Both teams would skate to an even contest in the first period with WNE putting together nine shots on goal, while UNE came through with eight shots on goal, all saved by Dennis. In the final seconds of the first period, WNE would grab ahold of the first goal of the game. Paoli would skate towards the middle of the net with the puck and through a quick snapshot on goal which found its way inside the right goal pipe and into the net, giving WNE the 1-0 lead. Paoli would be assisted by Kelly Yorkey as WNE closed the period leading 1-0. 

UNE kept the pressure of the defensive unit for the Golden Bears in the second period as the Nor'easters would come through with an additional eight shots on goal during the second period, marking 17 total shots on goal through the first 40 minutes of play. The offense for Western New England would be cooled by the University of New England, though Western New England would be the only team to find the back of the net again in the second period. Yorkey would send a puck up the boards that found the stick of Katie Cronin who took the puck and skated into the offensive zone on a partial two on one break. Cronin took a big wrist shot that went just under the cross bar and into the net to give Western New England a 2-0 lead at the 12:55 mark of the second period.  Yorkey and Paoli would credit assists to give the Golden Bears the two-goal lead heading into the second period intermission. 

The University of New England pushed for an answer to the Golden Bears two goals in the third period. The Nor'easters found the back of the net for the first time in the third period at the 11:53 mark when Keely Kasputis scored an even strength goal to cut Western New England's lead in half. Kasputis would be assisted by Anna O'Neill to give UNE their first goal of the game. Western New England attempted to fend off the Nor'easters late third period attack, as UNE looked to extend the game into overtime with one goal. That is exactly what they did. With 46 seconds remaining in the third period Meghan Hamilton netted an unassisted tally to send the game into the overtime period. Both teams would take two shots on goal in the overtime session, with neither team being able to find the back of the net, settling the game in a 2-2 draw from the Harold Alfond Forum on Saturday. 

Inside the Crease:

• WNE finished the night with 25 shots on goal, while two of those shots found twine. Alexa Paoli and Katie Cronin scored the two goals on the afternoon for WNE. 
• Sierra Dennis came away with 31 saves on the night, while surrendering just two goals by UNE in the 2-2 tie. Dennis has started in now seven games for WNE making 230 saves in those seven starts. 
• Both Yorkey and Paoli came away with two points in the game, leading all scorers. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England sees No. 10 Endicott College at the Olympia Ice Center on Friday, February 11 at 7:00 pm. 
• UNE is back in action tomorrow afternoon at No. 10 Endicott College at 3:00 pm.