Jessie-Gerelli makes 52 saves, WNE falls to Endicott

Beverly, Mass. (February 3, 2023) - The Golden Bears headed out to Beverly, Massachusetts, for a meeting with the Gulls of Endicott College. The Golden Bears were trying to avoid a three-game skid, but Endicott was going for three wins in a row, and with Emmerson Hayes and Nicole Connor picking up three points each, they beat the Golden Bears.

Records:

• Western New England: 11-7-3 (6-6-2)
• Endicott College: 12-7-2 (10-4-0)

How it Happened:

With Rieley Jessie-Gerelli leading the way, the Golden Bears took the ice in Beverly. Maggie Holt won the opening faceoff, and the Golden Bears went to work. Both teams went back and forth, with Jessie-Gerelli and Michaela O'Brien making save after save. A little after halfway through the period, the Gulls struck. Nicole O'Connor sent a quick pass to Sydney Fascetta, who backhanded a pass to Quin Healy. Healy then sent a backhanded shot at Gerelli, and it got into the back of the net. Endicott led 1-0. The lead only lasted 36 seconds, though. Abby Hay put the Golden Bears on the board. Alexa Paoli put the puck off the boards to Allison Walker. Walker salted on the left side of the ice and sent a pass to Hay, who put the puck into the roof of the net. The score was tied 1-1. After more shots from each team, the first period ended with the score knotted at one goal per side. Jessie-Gerelli made 16 saves in the period, and O'Brien made two.

Holt won the opening faceoff, and the second period was underway. WNE went on the power play nine minutes into the second period. The Golden Bears got one shot on O'Brien during the power play before WNE was called for a penalty and made it 4-on-4 for 1:12. WNE was called for another penalty a minute and a half later. Jessie-Gerelli made three saves during the penalty, and WNE got out of the penalty unscathed. It looked like the period was ending; however, Kat Keith struck for the Gulls. Quin Healy was involved again as Healy sent a pass to Emmerson Hayes, who sent it to Keith. Keith sent it right past Jessie-Gerelli, and it crashed into the back of the net. The score was 2-1 Endicott. The Gulls took the lead going into the second break. Jessie-Gerelli made 19 saves during that period compared to the three saves made by O'Brien.

As the teams entered the third period, the Golden Bears looked to make another comeback in Beverly. Jessie-Gerelli made five saves to start the third period, but Endicott eventually got a third goal. Three minutes into the period, Morgan Sisson skated in and put a shot right into the back of the net to double Endicott's lead. It only took three more minutes for Endicott to get another one. It was Kat Keith again. Keith got the pass from Nicole Connor, who got it from Hayes. Keith sent the shot just past Jessie-Gerelli to give Endicott a 4-1 lead. However, Endicott did not stop charging at the net, and Kellie Popkin sent a shot off the pipe. Then, at 6:09, Jenna Seibold skated down the ice and put a shot just past the WNE goaltender for the fifth Gulls goal of the night. However, Endicott still was not done. Cammi Ahern would net the sixth goal of the night for the Gulls. Connor got another assist with a pass over to Fascetta, who pushed it to Ahern, who potted the goal for the Gulls. Endicott would take the game by a score of 6-1. Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made 52 saves on 58 shots on goal. Michaela O'Brien made 12 saves with 13 shots making it to the net. 

Inside the Crease:

• WNE returned to Beverly after beating them in November in overtime.
• Endicott struck first with a Quin Healy goal assisted by Sydney Fascetta and Nicole Connor. 1-0 Endicott.
• Abby Hay equalized the game for the Golden Bears. Alexa Paoli and Allison Walker were credited with the assists. 1-1 tied game.
• Kat Keith scored in the second period to open up a lead for the Gulls. Healy and Emmerson Hayes assisted Keith on the goal. 2-1 Endicott.
• Morgan Sisson scored three minutes into the third period to give the Gulls a 3-1 lead.
• Kat Keith scored a second goal, with Hayes and Connor getting the assists. Endicott led 4-1.
• Jenna Seibold scored the fifth goal unassisted. 5-1 Endicott.
• Cammi Ahern ended the scoring with a goal at the end of the game. Sydney Fascetta and Nicole Connor got the assists.
• Endicott won 6-1.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears return to West Springfield for a matchup with Salve Regina on Saturday, February 4, at 7:00 pm.
• Endicott travels to Biddeford, Maine, for a matchup with UNE at 7:00 pm on Saturday, February 4.