WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 28, 2026) – The Golden Bears hosted the Wildcats in the semifinals of the CNE tournament on Saturday. The Wildcats would grab the opening goal, but it was equalized later in the first thanks to Zoe Galanoudis. Two power play goals in the second gave WNE a 3-1 lead, which they would not let up, leading to a trip to Endicott College for the conference Championship game next Saturday.

Records:
Western New England: 18-7-1 (13-4-1)
Johnson & Wales University: 14-12-1 (10-7-1)

How it Happened:
First Period:

• WNE's first postseason game got off to a rocky start as JWU had the majority of the possession early and would net a 2-on-1 opportunity to take a 1-0 lead 5:21 into the semifinal matchup. Sophia Brea was credited with the goal assisted by Annalise MacPhee.
• JWU would continue to send pressure at WNE with five consecutive shots following the goal. WNE would start to respond and flip the ice on the Wildcats. Then, Zoe Galanoudis would throw the puck in front of the goal, and it would bounce into the back of the net. WNE tied the game at one.
• The teams would trade shots for the rest of the opening period of play before WNE would end the first on the power play. The first saw JWU leading 18-14 in shots and 11-8 in shots on goal. WNE had more saves, 10-7, and faceoff wins, 9-8.

Second Period:

• The middle period of play saw the Golden Bears take control. The beginning of the second went back and forth, but a couple of penalties on both sides led to a 4-on-4 hockey which allowed the teams to get a few more shots.
• Late in the second, with 4:05 left, Mabel Gerard got in front of a shot from Michaela Birmingham on the power play and scored. WNE led 2-1. Right after that goal, another penalty was called against JWU. Then, Gerard scored a second on the power play with a similar tip-in goal. Michaela Birmingham and Lilly Ainley were credited with the assists, and WNE led 3-1.
• WNE held all the momentum and once again had a power play to start the third period of play. The second period of play stats saw WNE have more shots, 27-19, shots on goal, 16-12, and faceoff wins, 14-13. JWU had more saves, 14-12.

Third Period:

• The final period of play saw the Wildcats get a much-needed penalty kill to start. The teams would then trade possession of the puck and shots. They then went on the power play, and WNE was forced to kill off the JWU power play, which saw Rachael Irving make three saves with many shots being taken by JWU.
• WNE would not give JWU much of an opportunity after that, and the Wildcats were forced to pull their goalie to get an extra skater. Jenna Lynch took advantage of that and sent the puck flying into the net to lift WNE to a 4-1 advantage, which would be the final score. Maddie Pope and Lilly Ainley were credited with the assists on the empty-net goal.
• The final stat sheet saw WNE have more shots on goal, 38-31, more blocked shots, 17-6, and power play goals, 2-0. JWU had more faceoff wins, 31-29, and saves 34-30.

Inside the Crease:

• The Golden Bears picked up a 4-1 conference semifinal win versus JWU on Saturday.
• Three Golden Bears led the team in points, with Mabel Gerard scoring two goals and Michaela Birmingham and Lilly Ainley both adding two assists.
• Ziya Damas and Kelsey Joiner led the team in blocked shots with three each.
• Mabel Gerard won 20 of the 29 WNE faceoff wins.
• Rachael Irving made 30 saves to secure Irving's first career Golden Bear postseason victory.

Up Next on the Schedule:

• WNE will travel to Beverly, Massachusetts, for the conference finals on Saturday, February 28, 2026, with the time still to be determined.