Statistics

BEVERLY, Mass. -- Two goals just 2:29 apart in the 2nd period was all the cushion needed for top-seeded Endicott College to skate past fourth seed University of New England, 3-0, in the semifinals of the 2026 Conference of New England Women's Ice Hockey Championship on Saturday (Feb. 28) at Raymond J. Bourque Arena.

The nationally-ranked Gulls (20-4-2) advance to next Saturday's league title game against second-seeded Western New England University, which dispatched of Johnson & Wales University by a 4-1 margin on the other side of the bracket. [CNE Championship Page]

Four days removed from netting a season-high six goals in the CNE first round victory, the Nor'easters conclude the year with an overall record of 11-15-1.

After a fairly level opening 20 minutes, when EC held a 15-10 edge in shots on target, the hosts tipped the ice significantly in the middle frame and made it count on the scoreboard. Ella Rago put the Gulls ahead with a top-shelf in the slot at the 6:26 mark, and Julia Carrigan finished a centering feed in transition from Jo Wimler moments later to establish a 2-0 lead for Endicott.

During a power play in the middle of the 3rd, Hannah Humes put a shot off the iron, but that was as close as the visitors came to getting one past Lauren Ferrari, who wrapped up the clean sheet with 17 saves for EC.

The Gulls added an empty-net tally by Mackenzie Graham with 3:13 remaining to all but seal things.

Kyleigh Matola did her part to keep the Nor'easters as close as they were, racking up 38 saves. Kaylen Taddia contributed four blocked shots.