Yorkey Scores Game Winner in OT, Secures 3 Seed in CCC Tournament

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 18, 2023) – The Western New England women's ice hockey team needed overtime on Saturday night at the Olympia Ice Center to take down the visiting Nor'easters from the University of New England, though Kelly Yorkey's game winning goal would secure the three seed in the CCC Tournament for the Golden Bears. 

Records:

• Western New England: 15-7-3, 10-6-2 CCC
• University of New England: 8-14-3, 7-9-2 CCC

How it Happened:

In a battle for the third and fourth seeds in the CCC playoffs, Western New England would dictate the first period of play, though would see the Nor'easters score first in the game.  Hannah Humes would take a wrister from just inside the circles that beat Rieley Jessie-Gerelli and fell into the back of the net to put UNE ahead 1-0. Avery Lutrzkowski and Carolyn Curley would grab assists on the opening goal of the night. Western New England would secure the games first powerplay after UNE was called for too many players on the ice just 34 seconds after their goal. The Golden Bears would capitalize on their powerplay chance when Maggie Holt sent a sailing wrist shot from that point that found the back of the net going right into the top corner of the net to even the score just 1:20 after the UNE goal. Maddy Tucker and Alyssa Murphy would earn assists on the goal. WNE would take the 13-6 shots advantage into the next 40 minutes of play. 

Neither team would find goal in the second period after Western New England would again dominate the shots total, taking 15 to UNE's six in the period. UNE GK Delanie Corcoran would stand tall in the period, making all 15 saves to keep the Nor'easters in the game. Western New England's defense would hold UNE at bay, with Jessie-Gerelli making all six saves in the period. 

UNE would flip the script in the third period, dominating much of the offensive attack, though Western New England's goalkeeping and defense would hold UNE from scoring  and would take the game into the overtime session. The winner of the contest would take the three seed in the CCC tournament, while the loser would grab the four seed.

After two chances by both Maddie Pope and Maggie Holt, Western New England would force a UNE turnover after a Nor'easters faceoff win and collect the puck and made a break. After Maddie Pope would be replaced by Kelly Yorkey on the ice, Alexa Paoli would skate the puck around the net and would find a streaking Yorkey, who cut straight to goal and roofed a shot into the top of the net, just under the crossbar and into the net to send Western New England to a 2-1 victory over UNE, locking up the three seed in the CCC Tournament. 

Inside the Lines:

• WNE would lead 37-23 in shots on goal in the game, taking the only three shots in the overtime session. 
• Kelly Yorkey scored her third goal of the season, the overtime winner to give WNE the 2-1 win. 
• Rieley Jessie-Gerelli made 22 saves on 23 shots faced. 

Up Next on the Schedule:

• The Golden Bears will head to Endicott College on Saturday, February 25 for the CCC semifinal game as the number three seed. A time has yet to be announced.