Golden Bears break Seahawks 6-2, Egan and Bringardner score

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Friday, January 12, 2024)-- Jillian Egan and Ashtyn Bringardner both scored in the early stages of play against Western New England University, yet the team fell short 6-2 with the majority of the Golden Bears' goals coming in the final period. 

The women's ice hockey team entered the third period tied 2-2 against Western New England, however the Golden Bears achieved four goals in the final 20 minutes of play to leap ahead for the win. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Salve Regina 2, Western New England 6
Records: Salve Regina (6-5-3,4-3-1 CCC), Western New England (9-3-2,7-2-1 CCC)
All-Time Series: The Seahawks were 1-4-1 going into the evening. The last time the two teams met was in February 2023 and it was a 3-2 loss for Salve Regina.

BREAKDOWN: 

Western New England was the first to strike after 18 minutes of scoreless play, giving the Golden Bears a 1-0 advantage going into the second period. To counteract Western New England's front, Jillian Egan provided an unassisted shot just three minutes into the second period. Again, to set the Golden Bears ahead 2-1 Maddie Pope achieved her first of two goals for the evening at 7:10 down in the second period. With a shot from just outside the left side of the crease, Ashtyn Bringardner (from Jennifer Rickard) slid the puck right behind the Golden Bears goalie, making it a 2-2 game with 20 minutes left to play. The third and final period was where Western New England broke away. Just 20 seconds into action Ziya Damas made it into Salve Regina's net. Nine minutes later Allison Walker, followed by Maddie Pope, both scored on the Western New England power play. At 16:59 the final scoring action of the night occurred when Allison Walker found the back of the net again for a 6-2 final Golden Bear success. 

NOTEWORTHY:

• Sydney Baxter stood in the Salve Regina net, making 26 saves.
• The Seahawks served 24 minutes on seven infractions and the Golden Bears were called on three infractions, sitting out six minutes. 
• Western New England outshot Salve Regina 32-24.

ON THE HORIZON: 

Tomorrow the team returns to the Cabot-Harman Ice Center to celebrate the 25th anniversary of women's ice hockey at Salve Regina. The Seahawks host the Golden Bears at 8 p.m. Prior to the game the program invites current and former women's ice hockey student-athletes to attend the alumni scrimmage with puck drop at 12:30 p.m.