Women’s Ice Hockey Plays Even with Salve Regina

NEWPORT, R.I. – The Western New England women's ice hockey team played to a tie with the Seawhaks of Salve Regina University on Sunday afternoon, drawing by a final score of 1-1. 

Records: 

• Western New England: 6-13-4 (4-10-2 CCC)
• Salve Regina University: 4-12-3 (3-8-3 CCC)

How it Happened:

Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made the start between the pipes for the Golden Bears on Sunday afternoon, looking to pick up her sixth win of the season. The Golden Bears and Seahawks played even hockey through the first period of play, with neither team able to find the back of the net. Salve saw the better of the offensive scoring chances, taking 11 shots on Jessie-Gerelli while WNE took four shots on goal against Salve's starter, Madison Jalbert. 

In the second period, Salve Regina would break the ice and open with the game's first goal as Grace Schwartz would credit the first of the game for the Seahawks. The goal would go unassisted at 1:51 into the second period, giving Salve the 1-0 lead. Through the midway point of the period, the Golden Bears would see their best chances come on net and would be awarded with a powerplay chance after Salve's Emma Breen was whistled for interference. On the powerplay, Alexa Paoli would find Kelly Yorkey who would would dish the puck to the Golden Bears leading goal scorer Alyssa Murphy who dialed in her 10^th goal of the season, the first Golden Bear to reach double digits in goals this season. Paoli credited her 7^th assist of the season, while Yorkey grabbed her 9^th to even the score at one. Salve Regina would control much of the play to end the second period, as they would grab 14 shots on goal in the period to WNE's four additional shots. 

Play stayed even between the two teams in the third period as both squads looked to break the 1-1 tie. Western New England would come away with a third period best of nine shots on goal, matching the Seahawks total, who also had nine in the third period, though neither team could find the back of the net, sending the game into the overtime session. In overtime, Salve Regina would come away with four shots, all saved by Jessie-Gerelli, while WNE saw Allison Walker take the lone OT shot with 20 seconds to play in OT, though it did not find the back of the net, ending the game in a 1-1 tie between the two teams. 

Inside the Crease:

• Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made 37 of 38 saves in the contest, picking up her second tie of the season. Madison Jalbert made 17 saves on 18 shots on goal for the Seahawks.
• Alyssa Murphy capitalized on her team leading 10^th goal of the season. 
• Western New England was 1 for 1 on the powerplay on the afternoon, while Salve failed to convert on two chances. 
• The two teams split a 1-1-1 record this season, scoring a combined seven goals in three games. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE remains on the road as they take on Nichols College on Friday, February 18 at 7:40 pm from June Rockwell Levy Rink. 
• Salve heads to Curry College tomorrow, February 14 at 6:45 pm. Salve began three games in three nights starting this afternoon.