SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Friday, November 1, 2024)-- Former conference foe from the Conference of New England (formerly CCC) beat Salve Regina University women's ice hockey 5-2 after the Seahawks scored twice in period one in both teams season opener. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Western New England 5, Salve Regina 2
Records: Salve Regina (0-1, 0-0 NEHC), Western New England (1-0, 0-0 CNE)
History: The Seahawks are 2-7-1 against WNE since 2021. Last year the teams met four times and the Seahawks were 1-3 in wins and losses. WNE was the 2023-24 CCC Champion and went on to the first round of the NCAA Tournament where they lost 8-0 to Middlebury College. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Western New England was presented with four power play opportunities in the first period and even managed seven shots in that time span but Salve Regina was the first to jump out to a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes. Emma Pereira scored the Seahawks' first goal of the season 15:38 into the contest with an assist from Reese Periera. Ashtyn Bringardner's shot into the top left corner of the Golden Bears net came shortly after after Bringardner received a pass from Emily Wroblewski. 

Western New England capitalized on a power play that carried over from period one and netted their first goal with 12 seconds gone from the score board. Two more goals by the Golden Bears followed in the period, although all were even strength. In the final 20 minutes two more extra skater opportunities elevated Western New England to five goals and halted Salve Regina at two. Golden Bears' Ziya Damas scored two of their five successes. 

NOTEWORTHY

• The referees issues 13 penalties across both teams during the outing, nine of which were infractions by the Seahawks. 
• Western New England outshot Salve Regina 39-24. The Seahawks fired their period-high 13 shots in the final 20 minutes. Gina Richard, led the team with seven shots. 
• Sydney Baxter was in net for the full 60 minutes and made 34 saves.

ON THE HORIZON
Salve women's ice hockey will play again tomorrow against Johnson & Wales University in Providence at 7 p.m.