The Rams sent off their seniors in style with an upset 5-3 win against UMass. PHOTO CREDIT: Greg Clark
The University of Rhode Island Women’s Ice Hockey team concluded the regular season this past weekend with a big 5-3 victory against the No. 7 ranked UMass Minutewomen on Senior Night.
The game would be the final game for the Rams while the Minutewomen were looking to build some momentum heading into the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) National Championships next week.
This would be the sixth outing between the two teams this season with their previous one seeing URI fall on the road against UMass with a final score of 2-1 a week prior. The Minutemen were also looking for revenge after URI upset them on their Senior Night in a 2-1 overtime win on Feb. 12.
The Rams scored on all three of their power play opportunities to help secure the win. The first power play goal was scored by senior captain Maleah Gillette late into the second period. The other two power play opportunities were scored within a minute of each other early in the third period by senior forward Logan Burns and junior forward Abbi Sampson.
“Special teams were definitely focused on heading into this game,” Head Coach Ray Boudiette said. “It was important to emphasize these battles, which we wanted to win. As a result, we won the battles and ended up securing a win.”
The first goal of the game by Rams freshman defensemen Megan Wentworth at 6:34 into the first period gave the team momentum they would utilize during the rest of the game. It would be the only score of the first period,making it a 1-0 game heading into the second period.
“It definitely gave the team momentum that lasted throughout the game,” Boudiette said. “Anytime you can score the first goal of the game, you definitely see how crucial that momentum is and the edge that it gives the team.”
Sampson would score her first goal 6:10 in the second period giving URI a 2-1 lead before the brigade of power play goals would begin. The Rams would give up two goals this period, making it a 3-2 game going into the final period.
UMass ended up losing the game due to two penalties called at the 2:40 mark in the third period, including a 15-minute major by their sophomore defender Brianna O’Neill that would let the Rams score twice. Freshman goalie Madeline Ashenfelter ended the game with 24 saves off of 27 shots for URI.
“The biggest takeaways from this game for me personally was seeing all the hard work these athletes have put in all year pay off,” Boudiette said. “With it being the last game of the season and winning against a competitive team like, we definitely build momentum heading into next year.”
Rhode Island has six seniors that will be graduating this year, and Boudiette thanked them for their contributions to the program.
“I want to thank the seniors for all their hard work, commitment, and how much they have helped the team grow,” Boudiette said. “They have shaped the future of the program for the better and I am so proud of all of them.”
In terms of the future, the Rams have goals they want to achieve with a young core to help throughout the next few years.
“Personally, I’m excited to see the steps everyone takes over the next couple of years,” Boudiette said. “We gained some momentum this season with this young team and this last win. I definitely am hopeful we go on a run and qualify for Nationals.”