By Jason Alwang
Ziya Damas recorded two goals and one assist, while Mabel Gerard recorded four points as the Golden Bears defeated Salve Regina 5-2 at the Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield, Massachusetts, in their season opener on Friday, November 1
The first period was dominated in shots and possession by the Golden Bears, however, a couple of defensive mistakes resulted in two goals for the Hawks.
After killing off a penalty, the Hawks scored 34 seconds after the kill on a wrist shot from Emma Pereira, who got around a defender to put the shot past Kayla Ireland to give them the 1-0 lead.
A little over three minutes later, the Golden Bears had some defensive miscommunication resulting in a semi 2-on-1 for the Hawks at 18:50 where Ashtyn Bringardner cashed in off the pass from Emily Wroblewski.
In the second period, the Golden Bears were on a power play carrying over from the first period which resulted in them scoring 12 seconds into the period. There was a scramble in front of the net where Jenna Lynch was able to pounce on the loose puck, after multiple attempts at the crease. Gerard picked up her first of four points on this play.
The Golden Bears would then tie the game on another scramble at the net, with Gerard scoring the game-tying goal at 2:15 into the period. They would score once more, taking the lead at period’s end.
Damas pounced on the puck at 14:14 of the second period after a shot created a rebound that she was able to put in the net past Sydney Baxter of the Hawks to give the Golden Bears the 3-2 lead.
Heading into the final period with a lead, the Golden Bears didn’t stop their attack, having killed two different 5-on-3 penalties resulting in momentum and a goal 9:34 into the final period. Damas would score her second of the game on a wrister on the power play for the 4-2 lead.
A couple of late penalties by the Hawks resulted in a 5-on-3 power play, where the Golden Bears would score their third goal on the power play with 51 seconds left of regulation. Michaela Birmingham would score her first career goal for the Golden Bears to cap the final score at 5-2
The Golden Bears’ penalty kill was 4 for 4 on the night, and Ireland recorded 22 saves to solidify the season-opening win for the Golden Bears.
Western New England University will face UMass Boston and Keene State College in a pair of away games next before returning home on Saturday, November 9, to face Worcester State University.
