Women's Ice Hockey Falls to Nichols, 4-1

DUDLEY, Mass. (February 18, 2022) – The Western New England women's ice hockey team traveled to their final regular season road game on Friday night as the Nichols College Bison took a 4-1 win over the Golden Bears, grabbing the final three goals of the game to propel themselves to victory. 

Records:

• Western New England: 6-14-4 (4-11-2 CCC)
• Nichols College: 13-8-1 (8-7-1 CCC)

How it Happened:
The Bison got off to a quick start when Jessica Gossas-Moberg opened the scoring for the Bison at the 7:55 mark of the first period, beating Sierra Dennis to give Nichols the 1-0 lead. A quick answer from the Golden Bears in the period gave them life again. The Golden Bears were awarded with a powerplay at the midway point of the period. Abby Hay would send a pass over to Sydney Conte who then found Maddy Tucker who was able to tuck in her first career goal in a Golden Bears uniform to tie the game at one. Nichols would outshoot WNE 19-6 in the period. 

No goals were scored in the second period until the last six minutes of it when Nichols was able to score back-to-back goals before the second period horn sounded to take a 3-1 lead heading into the locker room. Gossas-Moberg and Megan Buxton would score the two goals for the Bison to take the 3-1 lead heading into the locker room. Nichols would again outshoot the Golden Bears, this time by a mark of 12-5. 

In the third period, a powerplay goal from Mel McAleer would put the Bison ahead by three goals. The Golden Bears would fight late in the third period, though would be unable to find the back of the net in the period, falling to Nichols by a final score of 4-1. 

Inside the Crease:

• Sierra Dennis came away with 40 saves on the night, allowing just four goals. Nichols goaltender Victoria Bakopanos made 16 saves on 17 shots on goal. 
• Jessie Gossas-Moberg led the way for Nichols, coming away with two goals for the Bison. Maddy Tucker scored the lone tally for Western New England in the loss. 
• WNE went 1-5 on the powerplay, while Nichols went 1-2 on the night. 
• Nichols came away with 44 shots on goal while WNE managed 17 total shots on goal. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears host faculty/staff appreciation night from the Olympia Ice Center tomorrow night at 7:30 pm.
• Nichols travels to UNE at 6:00 pm for their final regular season game of the season.