Murphy's Game Winning OT Goal Rallies Golden Bears Past #11 Endicott

Beverly, Mass. (November 12, 2022) - After losing 4-1 at home, the Golden Bears hit the road to play #11 ranked Endicott for the second night in a row. WNE came into the game having won both road tests this season and were hoping they could pull off the upset in Beverly, Mass. The Gulls were 2-1 at home going into this matchup, with their only loss being to Norwich University, who was ranked #11 at the time of the matchup.

Records:

• Western New England: 4-2-0 (2-2-0)
• Endicott College: 4-2-0 (3-1-0)

How it Happened:

The first period started with Maddie Pope continuing her dominance at the faceoff circle. Both teams got settled into the game pretty quickly, as they got shots on net relatively early. WNE was more aggressive early, with many shots getting on net. However, Bailey Thieben was strong in net and parried away all of WNE's early opportunities. Endicott would get some shots off, but Rieley Jessie-Gerelli kept the Gulls at bay initially. WNE went on the power play with just over ten minutes left to play in the period. WNE got seven shots off during the power play, with five of those shots having eyes for goal. Thieben made all five saves. The penalty kill got Endicott fired up, and they started t send multiple shots at Jessie-Gerelli. However, Jessie-Gerelli kept making the saves. With 1:28 left in the first period, the pressure became too much, and Endicott got a goal. Kellie Popkin got the puck in the Endicott end of the ice and skated down the left side of the ice. As Popkin raced down the ice, Kaylee Liberty beat the WNE defender on the right side of the goal. Popkin centered to puck, and Liberty put it in. Endicott led 1-0. The first period ended soon after, with Endicott leading 1-0. WNE outshot Endicott 15 to 13 in the first period and were hurt by the last-minute goal.

The second started with another Maddie Pope faceoff win. WNE went on the attack with a few shots, and Endicott answered with a few of their own. WNE would go on the penalty kill 3:26 into the second period. Endicott would threaten, but Jessie-Gerelli and the Golden Bears killed off the penalty. With 10:21 left in the period, Endicott doubled their lead. Popkin would send a shot wide of the net that was sent over to Liberty. Liberty spotted Emersson Hayes skating with no defender near. Liberty sent the pass over. Hayes glided backward and sent a shot past Jessie-Gerelli for the game's second goal. Endicott led 2-0. WNE tried to answer with multiple shots at Thieben, but Thieben turned the Golden Bears away each time. The Golden Bears returned to the penalty kill with 2:29 left in the second period. Jessie-Gerelli faced two shots during the penalty and turned both away. Soon after, the period ended with Endicott winning 2-0. Endicott got 15 shots on goal during the second period. WNE was only able to get two on net.

The third period started with Endicott winning the faceoff and Endicott putting pressure on WNE. WNE would quickly switch around the pressure and momentum and got a goal 2:53 into the final period of play. Maddie Pope skated down the ice and took a shot on goal that Thieben parried away, but then sent a second shot that deflected off the goalie, and while falling, Abby Hay scored. The score was now 2-1, with plenty of time to play in the game. WNE kept putting pressure on the Gulls. However, just as WNE was gaining momentum, they committed a penalty, and Endicott went on the power play. After Jessie-Gerelli made the first save of the penalty kill on the doorstep, WNE struck again. Alyssa Murphy got the puck after the shot and found Maddie Pope. Pope skated down and, with a few moves, got around the Endicott defenders. Pope deked out the goalie and put the puck into the back of the net. WNE scored short-handed to make it 2-2. WNE and Endicott both got opportunities as the period started to close out, but nobody got the winner. The game went to overtime. WNE finished the third period with eight shots on goal to Endicott's 20. 

As four-on-four overtime started, Endicott won the opening faceoff. After both teams made pushes for a goal, Endicott tried to contain possession. That is when WNE made its move. After settling the puck behind the net, the puck was moved up the ice from Pope to Maddy Tucker. Tucker then found Alyssa Murphy on the left side of the net. Murphy sent a wrist shot right over Thieben's shoulder and into the back of the net. WNE beat #11 Endicott 3-2. 

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears headed on the road to Beverly, Mass., for a matchup with the 11th-ranked Endicott Gulls.
• The game's first goal came with just under a minute and a half left in the first period. Kellie Popkin found Kaylee Liberty for the goal.
• The second goal came from Emersson Hayes almost halfway through the second period. Popkin and Liberty got their second points of the game as they both assisted on the play.
• WNE cut the deficit in half early in the third period when Abby Hay put the puck in the net after Maddie Pope's shot deflected off Thieben to Hay.
• Maddie Pope got the equalizer with a short-handed goal. Alyssa Murphy assisted Pope as Pope skated down the ice around a defender and slotted the puck past Thieben.
• In overtime, Alyssa Murphy sent a wrist shot past Thieben for the game-winner. Pope and Tucker assisted Murphy.
• Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made 49 saves and improved to 3-0 in starts. Bailey Thieben made 27 saves.
• WNE beat #11 Endicott 3-2 in overtime.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE will be in action next Friday, November 18, when they head out to take on the Colonels of Curry College.
• Endicott will see action next on Friday, November 18, when they head to Suffolk University to take on the Rams.