Julia Roman Nets Game-Winning Goal, WNE Wins 3-2

West Springfield, Mass. (February 4, 2023) - The Golden Bears drove back to West Springfield for a Saturday night matchup with conference foes Salve Regina. After sweeping them in their home-and-home series in mid-January, WNE was hoping to make it three for three on the season. Julia Roman's second-period wrap-around goal was enough to help the Golden Bears do just that and get the season sweep of Salve Regina.

Records:

• Western New England: 12-7-3 (7-6-2)
• Salve Regina University: 9-12-0 (4-11-0)

How it Happened:

A Maggie Holt faceoff circle win started the game for the two teams. Both teams traded shots, with Rieley Jessie-Gerelli and Ellee Kopecky making saves on both ends. 4:51 into the game, Salve Regina struck the net first. Maddie Cox got the goal after being sent a pass by Jillian Egan. Egan got the puck from Kate Zangre before the pass to Cox for the goal. Salve Regina led 1-0 early. That lead did not last too long as Maddie Tucker took the puck away, skated down on the right side of the net, and put the puck right over Kopecky's shoulder to tie up the game 1-1. It looked like the period was going to end with a 1-1 tie. However, Allison Walker grabbed a goal with 33 seconds left. Emma Birmingham sent a pass to Walker on the right side of the net, and Walker skated in front of net for the goal. WNE had the lead 2-1. But, again, that lead did not last. Morgan Peritz won the following faceoff, and the puck went to Samantha McKenzie, who slashed down the ice and put the puck right past Jessie-Gerelli to tie up the game at two goals per side going into the first intermission. Jessie-Gerelli made 11 saves, and Kopecky made seven.

Maggie Holt would win the second period's opening faceoff, which would start the rush for the Golden Bears. The puck was given to Salve Regina and then turned over by the Seahawks in the WNE attacking zone. Three minutes into the period. Julia Roman took the puck away and wrapped the puck around the pipe and into the back of the net. The Golden Bears were back on top 3-2. Five seconds later, WNE was called for a penalty. The Golden Bears could kill off the penalty with three shots on net that Jessie-Gerelli saved. A few minutes later, WNE was called for another penalty, but Jessie-Gerelli made two saves during the penalty and kept the Golden Bears up by one goal. Both teams would keep the other out of the net for the rest of the period, and the teams would go into the second intermission with WNE leading by a score of 3-2, with Julia Roman's goal being the difference through 40 minutes of play. After the second period ended, Jessie-Gerelli had made 26 saves, and Kopecki had totaled 17.

Morgan Peritz grabbed the faceoff win from Maggie Holt at the beginning of the third period. Salve Regina opened up the period on a tear. After WNE got the period's first shot on Kopecky, the Seahawks sent eight shots at Jessie-Gerelli, and all eight shots were kept out of the back of the net. It was a masterclass showing from Jessie-Gerelli. Jessie-Gerelli answered every move made by the Seahawks. With 6:42 left in the period, Salve Regina was called for a penalty, and WNE went on the power play. No shots got on Kopecky, and after a minute of the power play, both teams were called for a minor penalty. Neither team would get shots off during any of the penalties, and the teams skated 5-on-5 with four minutes left in the game. With 2:32 left in the period, WNE went on the power play again. Two shots were sent Kopecky's way in that power play, but Kopecky saved both. As the game came to a close, Salve Regina pulled their goalie but was not able to get the equalizing goal, and the Golden Bears completed the season sweep of the Seahawks from Salve Regina. Rieley Jessie-Gerelli finished with 36 saves on 38 shots on goal. Ellee Kopecky made 22 saves on 25 shots on goal. The final score was Golden Bears, three, and Seahawks, two.

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears welcomed the Seahawks of Salve Regina to West Springfield for a Saturday night matchup.
• Maddie Cox scored for the Seahawks 4:51 into the first period. Jillian Egan and Kate Zangre were given the assists. 1-0 Salve Regina.
• Maddie Tucker scored 7:29 into the first period. That goal was unassisted. WNE equalized the game 1-1.
• Allison Walker put the Golden Bears ahead with 33 seconds left in the first period. Emma Birmingham was given the assist. The Golden Bears led 2-1.
• Samantha McKenzie got it right back for the Seahawks. Morgan Peritz assisted the goal. The score was tied 2-2. 
• Julia Roman scored three minutes into the second period. The goal was unassisted, and it was the game-winner.
• The Golden Bears won the game 3-2.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Next Friday, February 10, at 8:00 PM, the Golden Bears are at home as they host the Nichols College Bison.
• Salve Regina travels to Suffolk for their next game on Friday, February 10, at 6:00 PM.