BEVERLY, Mass. – The first-seeded Endicott women's ice hockey team defeated the fifth-seeded University of New England, 4-2, in the Colonial Hockey Conference (CHC) semifinal round on Saturday afternoon at the Raymond J. Bourque Arena.
The Gulls took an early lead with a powerplay tally from Lexi Klein (Shoreview, Minn.) at the 3:53 mark of the first period.
UNE's Katie Babineau (Pepperell, Mass.) opened up the second period with her fifth goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1.
Endicott and the Nor'easters traded goals once again later in the second frame as Klein netted her second of the game at 9:46 and Jessie Scott (Barre, Vt.) found the back of the net at 15:47.
With the game knotted at 2-2 in the third period, Jillian Gibbs (Burlington, Vt.) scored the eventual game-winner just over four and a half minutes into the frame and she then added an empty-net insurance tally with one second remaining in regulation to secure the 4-2 victory and send the Gulls to their fourth consecutive CHC Championship.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Gulls have advanced to the CHC Championship game in all four seasons as a varsity program.
- Endicott is now 2-1 all-time against the Nor'easters.
- Vendela Jonsson (Linkoping, Sweden) recorded 18 saves to improve to 10-3-4 on the season.
- Julia Benjamin (Tolland, Conn.) made 38 stops in net for UNE.
- Courtney Walpole (Allen, Texas) and Lauren Ferraiuolo (North Haven, Conn.) both recorded two assists during the contest, while Caroline Hughes (Andover, Mass.), Madison Huber (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Courtney Sullivan (North Yarmouth, Maine), and Jade Meier (Fairbanks, Alaska) each had one.
- The Gulls were 3-for-4 on the powerplay.
- Endicott held a 42-20 shot advantage throughout the contest.
WHAT'S NEXT
Endicott (18-4-4) will face No. 3 Morrisville State College (16-8-2) for the CHC Championship on Sunday, March 3 at 2 PM.
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(Photo Credit - David Le '10)
