Lancers Get Past Golden Bears, 2-1

Worcester, Mass. (January 20, 2023) - The Women's Ice Hockey team traveled to Worcester on a damp Friday night for a non-conference matchup with the Lancers of Worcester State University. The Golden Bears were on a hot streak heading into the matchup, with the Lancers having won seven out of their last eight games. However, Kylian Kelly and the Lancers had other plans as they were able to take down the surging Golden Bears.

Records:

• Western New England: 11-4-2 (6-3-2)
• Worcester State University: 10-6-0 (1-0-0)

How it Happened:

Rieley Jessie-Gerelli started in between the pipes for the Golden Bears. Jessie-Gerelli stared down the ice at Amber Lee, who started in net for the Lancers. The game started with a faceoff circle win for Allison Walker and the Golden Bears. The first shot came quickly from the Lancers, but it went wide of the net. WNE would answer a minute later with the first shot on net, but Lee was there for the save. Both teams traded shots until WNE got called for a penalty and the Lancers were on the power play early in the game. The Lancers only got one shot on Jessie-Gerelli during the power play, which was saved. Both goalies stood strong during the first period of play. However, there was a penalty toward the end of the period, and WNE went on the power play. It was a big power play for the Golden Bears as they got six shots on net, but Lee would not let any shot hit the back of the net, and the score was knotted at zero after one period. To finish the first period, Jessie-Gerelli had four saves, and Lee had 11. 

The second period started the same way the first did. Allison Walker won another opening faceoff. Both teams kept the pressure on the opposing goalie, and neither goalie would let one by. The game felt like one goal may be enough for a win. Worcester State committed a penalty 5:35 into the second. It put WNE on the power play with hopes of getting the opening goal after a strong first power play. This power play saw five shots sent at Lee, and again, Lee made each save. The Golden Bears could not find an answer for Lee. The Golden Bears were back on the power play less than two minutes later. This time, only three shots got on Lee. Lee was able to turn WNE away each time. It was a battle of the goaltenders, and neither one would give an inch in the second period, so after two, the score was still stuck at 0-0. Lee made 18 saves in that period compared to the ten saves by Jessie-Gerelli. 

The beginning of the third saw Caroline Gates get the faceoff win for the Lancers. That helped them transition into offense, and almost five minutes into the final period of regular time; the Lancers got one past Jessie-Gerelli to take a 1-0 lead early in the third period. Off a faceoff win by WNE, Ellen Cook took the puck behind the WNE net and sent a pass right in front to Clare Conway, who put the puck past Jessie-Gerelli to get the lead for the Lancers. WNE would start to press with even more shots on Lee. Lee stayed calm and made each save. However, with the Golden Bears keeping their foot on the gas, eventually, one goal got through. Abby Hay was given the puck from Maddie Pope and Alyssa Murphy. Hay skated from the left side of the ice inside the Lancers' zone to the middle. As Hay got in front of the goalie, nobody was defending. Hay took a quick wrist shot and put it right past Lee for the equalizer. The score was 1-1. However, the celebration was short. Not even 30 seconds later, Worcester State regained the lead. The puck was passed from behind the net to Lea Gasper at the top of the WNE zone. Gasper sent a pass to Kylian Kelly, who skated forward a little bit and then sent a shot past Jessie-Gerelli. The score now showed Worcester State leading 2-1. Unfortunately for WNE, that would be the last goal, and the Lancers took the game two goals to one. Jessie-Gerelli made 20 saves, and Lee made 38 saves on the night.

Inside the Crease:

• WNE headed to the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center for a Friday night contest with Worcester State.
• Clare Conway scored 4:59 into the third period to open the scoring for the Lancers. Ellen Cook got the assist.
• Abby Hay got the equalizing goal with 6:38 left in the third. Maddie Pope and Alyssa Murphy were credited with the assist.
• With 6:10 left in the third period, Kylian Kelly got a wrist shot off that snuck into the goal. Clare Conway was given the assist.
• Jessie-Gerelli made 20 saves on 22 shots.
• Amber Lee made 38 saves on 39 shots.
• Worcester State won the game 2-1.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Both teams are back in action on Saturday, January 20, at 7:00 pm. They will face off for a second straight night in West Springfield at Olympia Ice Center.