Women’s Ice Hockey Shutout by Suffolk

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (January 27, 2023) – The Western New England women's ice hockey team couldn't find the back of the net in a 5-0 shutout victory for the CCC leading Rams of Suffolk University. 

Records:

• Western New England: 11-5-3, 6-4-2 CCC
• Suffolk University: 12-5-1, 10-1-1 CCC

How it Happened:

The Golden Bears saw Suffolk control the better of the play in the first half of the first period, despite Western New England coming away with the first two shots on goal in the game. Suffolk would draw the first penalty of the game and would take advantage of the opportunity. Leslie Steiner would find the back of the net on a rebound chance on assists from Liliana Moose and Sam Molind to give Suffolk a 1-0 lead on the powerplay. The Rams collected 16 shots in the first period while Western New England came away with nine. 

WNE would get their best scoring chances in the second period as the Golden Bears were awarded with three powerplay opportunities, though would be unable to convert on any of their chances. Alyssa Murphy, Maggie Holt, Maddie Pope and Maddy Tucker would all take shots on goal in the period, though Western New England would not be able to get a puck past Suffolk's Lily O'Neil. At the midway point of the period, a turnover by the Golden Bears would cost another goal on the scoreboard when Sofia Scilipoti would take a breakaway from the Rams offensive zone blue line and finish on the forehand to give Suffolk a 2-0 lead. The Rams would tally once more when Livia Brehm netted a goal for the Rams with just 37 to play in the third period, giving Suffolk a 3-0 lead after two periods of play. Western New England outshot Suffolk 15-8 in the period, though Suffolk would come away with the only two goals in the game. 

Suffolk would fire two more goals into the back of the net to put away the Golden Bears in the third period when both Jenna Caballero and Sam Molind would come away with the two goals for the Rams to give Suffolk the 5-0 lead, a lead the Rams held for the final three minutes of the game and would win their only game at the Olympia Ice Center this season. WNE's offense would fall flat in the third period, coming away with just three shots to Suffolk's 15. 

Inside the Pipes:

• Kayla Ireland made 34 saves on 39 shots faced for the Golden Bears in the losing effort. Her counterpart, Lily O'Neil stopped all 27 WNE shots. 
• Suffolk converted on one of two powerplays in the contest and outshot Western New England 39-27. 
• After beating the Rams 4-0 in their first ever meet, Western New England have been outscored 17-1 by Suffolk over a four-game span. 
• WNE is 0-2-1 over the last three games after winning their previous four straight. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The two teams will meet again tomorrow, Saturday, January 28 at 4:50 PM for the final game between the two teams on the regular season.