Worcester, MA- After over a week away from game day action, the Worcester Women's Ice Hockey team (4-4, 4-1) is set to go for their fifth straight win tonight as they welcome the University of New England Nor'Easters to Fidelity Bank. This will be the first meeting between the two programs in the Lancers four years of action, with Worcester aiming to come out with the 1-0 advantage.
Final
Worcester State: 3
UNE: 2
How it Happened:
Tonight's matchup between the University of New England Nor'Easters and the Worcester State Lancers found intensity was not hard to come by. Both teams played strategic periods as they both battled ripping off good quality shots. This, paired with the great defense played by both teams, made for a great half. Worcester State was able to keep the puck out of the net despite the 15 shots put up in the first period by the Nor'Easters as junior Kelsey Czerniawski (Chicopee, MA) was a force to be reckoned with in the cage. Worcester State would come into the first intermission tied 0-0.
The second period was an offensive frenzy for the Blue and Gold as they made their 4 skaters on ice-moments work to their advantage . The Lancers spent a larger portion of their time in the Nor'easters zone this period which kept UNE's goalie on her toes, opening up multiple shots for Worcester. Early into the period sophomore Caroline Melanson (Wakefield, MA) was able to score a quick goal on a wrist shot from juniors Cailey Ryan (Acton, MA) and Lea Gaspar (Chelmsford, MA) and hit the top left corner of the net giving Worcester State newfound momentum. Just minutes later Ryan would redirect the pass from Gaspar to extend the Worcester advantage and the duo's continued success in the period. UNE would give it their all in the offensive attack but Czerniawski remained unbroken, carrying a 2-0 lead into the third.
The third period was electric as both of these highly skilled teams duked it out in the third trying to seal the win. The Nor'easters came out hot as they were able to score a quick two goals as a reward for their offensive onslaught to tie the game. Giving UNE momentum and forcing the Lancers to have to make a play for the in late. Fortunately enough playmaker first year Emily Johns (Clinton, MA) would find the answer from graduate student Sydney Vautour (South Hamilton, MA) and Ryan to grab goal, and eventual winner, number three on the night. UNE would look to go to OT and pull their goalie late, but Czerniawski and her defense would not buckle claiming the thrilling victory at the final buzzer.
Czerniawski would end the night with an impressive 64 save performance as the Lancers came away with the victory after being outshot 17-66 on the night.
What's Next:
Worcester State (5-4, 4-1) is quick to shift gears as they hit the road early tomorrow morning to close out their 2024 schedule with a trip to Castleton for 1pm.