Jessie-Gerelli Makes 51 Saves, Golden Bears Blank Nor'easters 1-0

Biddeford, Maine (November 5, 2022) - After losing a close game to UNE last night, the Golden Bears hit the road for the away portion of their back-to-back two-game series with the Nor'easters. WNE stayed with UNE until the third period the previous night. They hoped to stay with UNE again and finish the job this time.

Records:

• Western New England: 3-1-0 (1-1-0)
• University of New England: 2-1-0 (1-1-0)

How it Happened:

The game started with a WNE faceoff win. UNE then put two quick shots on WNE goalie Rieley Jessie-Gerelli, who made the stop both times. WNE answered with three shots of their own. Two of them were saved by UNE goalie Delanie Corcoran. Five UNE shots came in response from WNE. The first four were off-target, but then the fifth tested Jessie-Gerelli, but the save was made. UNE kept hammering shots at net, but each shot was met by a save from Jessie-Gerelli. Toward the middle of the first period, WNE started to get shots on target. Corcoran was able to deal with each shot relatively easily. Both teams went back and forth with shots. Both Jessie-Gerelli and Corcoran made saves to keep the game scoreless. WNE got the last five shots on goal for the first period. All five had the same result, with Corcoran making big saves each time.

The second period started with another WNE faceoff win. Both teams got shots on goal early, with both goalies making saves to keep the game at a tie. Three minutes into the second period, UNE was called for a penalty. WNE got one shot on net, and so did UNE. Then, a minute after the first penalty was called, UNE was called for a second. That meant WNE had a little under a minute of 5-3 action. WNE got four shots off before both penalties were up, with two being saved by Corcoran. However, WNE could not take advantage and break the 0-0 tie. After an abundance of shots from both teams, UNE went on the power play. During the penalty kill, Jessie-Gerelli made three saves to deny UNE of the tiebreaking opportunity. With around 7:30 left in the second period, Katie Cronin took a pass and just put the puck past Corcoran for the night's first goal. Cronin got assisted on the play by Brie Dubie and Emma Birmingham. The rest of the second period saw shot after shot saved by Jessie-Gerelli and Corcoran. The score stayed 1-0 after two periods of play.

The third period started with a UNE faceoff win. Jessie-Gerelli made a big save two minutes into the period. UNE then got five shots off, with three being on goal and Jessie-Gerelli making all three saves. UNE was called for a penalty five minutes into the final period of play. WNE got six shots off during the power play, but Corcoran made all six stops. Shortly after, WNE returned to the power play and got eight shots off with six on goal. Corcoran saved all six. UNE would make a push at goal toward the second half of the third period. However, for every shot UNE had, Jessie-Gerelli had an answer. There was no getting past Jessie-Gerelli. When the final buzzer sounded, WNE had the edge, 1-0, due to a 51-save performance from Rieley Jessie-Gerelli.

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears went back on the road for a conference matchup with the University of New England.
• The game's only goal came in the second period when passing was key. WNE's Katie Cronin scored her first goal of the season off assists from Brie Dubie and Emma Birmingham.
• Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made 51 saves to pick up the second shutout of the season for the Golden Bears.
• WNE's win puts them at 3-1-0 on the season.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE will return home on Friday, November 11, for a matchup with the Gulls of Endicott. That game will be at the Olympia Ice Center at 8:00 pm.
• UNE will stay home and welcome the Colonels of Curry College to town on Friday, November 11, at 7:00 pm.