Saturday Basketball and Hockey Update from Endicott College & Salem State University, also Women’s Rugby (Endicott) / National Championship Event
Men’s College Hockey
Endicott 4, Wentworth 2 – The No. 11 nationally ranked Endicott men’s ice hockey team defeated Wentworth, 4-2, in conference action on Saturday night at Raymond J. Bourque Arena.
With only seven seconds remaining in the second period, Connor Beatty (Concord, N.H.) netted the game’s first score to give the Gulls an advantage
From there, Endicott never looked back as Jackson Sterrett (Henderson, Tenn.), Andrew Kurapov (Corvallis, Ore.), and Jack Ring (Guilford, Conn.) all found the back of the net in the third period at the 1:44, 9:59 and 16:53 marks, respectively.
In goal, Atticus Kelly (St. Paul, Minn) stopped 33 shots in the shutout victory (5-0-0).
No. 11 Endicott (9-1-0) travels to Wesleyan on Wednesday, December 7 at 7 PM.
Framingham State 4, Salem State 2 -Cameron Lindsay (Coatesville, Pa.) and Sam Larkin (Douglas) scored third period goals as Framingham State skated to a 4-2 victory in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) opener for both squads on Thursday evening at Rockett Arena. The Rams improve to 2-0 on the season and 0-1 in the MASCAC. The Vikings dip to 0-2 and 0-1 in conference.
The two teams played through a scoreless first with each squad registering one penalty apiece in the period. Salem State held a 15-10 advantage in shots, with Framingham State’s Luca Olivo (Marlton, N.J.) sweeping away a loose puck in the crease, denying the Vikings of their best scoring chance.
Women’s College Hockey
Endicott 1, Wesylan 1 (Tie) The No. 13 nationally ranked Endicott women’s ice hockey team skated to a 1-1 overtime tie against Wesleyan (Conn.) on Saturday afternoon at Raymond J. Bourque Arena.
With only 6:51 remaining in regulation, Samantha Fantasia (Billerica, Mass) found the back of the net to even up the score and force the eventual extra session.
Michaela O’Brien (Pembroke) turned away 25 shots (3-2-1) in goal for the Gulls.
No. 13 Endicott (6-3-1) vista to Salve Regina on Tuesday, December 6 at 7:45 PM.
New England College 3, Salem State 2 – Two third period goals helped New England College to a 3-2 NEHC victory over Salem State at Clement Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Pilgrims improve to 3-6-1 and 1-4-1 in conference while the Vikings slip to 2-7-1 and 1-6-1.
Men’s College Basketball
Eastern Nazarene 83, Salem State 79 – Salem State men’s basketball returned to Twohig Gymnasium after a road stint as they hosted the Lions of Eastern Nazarene College for a non- conference bout. Thanks to some last second heroics from Jarret Byrne (Melrose), an extra five minutes of play would be needed before Eastern Nazarene took the 83- 79 victory over Salem State.
For the Vikings, Jaden Castillo (Lawrence), Jarret Byrne (Melrose), and Conner Byrne (Melrose) each had 16 points with J. Byrne also grabbing 14 rebounds while Josiah Green (Springfield) had 11 points and seven assists in the loss. Bernie McGuinness (Cumming, Ga.) led all scorers with 24 points to go along with 11 rebounds in ENC’s victory.
Endicott 85, Suffolk 70 – The Endicott men’s basketball team defeated Suffolk, 85-70, in Commonwealth
Coast Conference (CCC) action on Saturday afternoon at MacDonald Gymnasium.
Jalen Echevarria (Lynn) led the way with a career-high 32 points (12-19 FG, 5-10 3PT, 3-3 FT), two rebounds, and five assists. Jeff Hill (Lynn) chipped in with 16 points (7-15 FG, 2-6 3PT) and three assists.
Mark Barrett (Brookline) also filled up the stat sheet with 14 points (5-10 FG, 4-7 3PT) three rebounds, four assists, and a steal.
In the opening half, Endicott seized the early momentum with a 15-5 scoring run fueled by a pair of Barrett buckets, a Parker McLaren (Newburyport) fadeaway jumper, and a layup from Dillon Grant (Dennis) before Echevarria capped off the run with back-to-back triples to lead 28-12 with 7:03 left.
Leading at the half, 37-31, the Gulls extended their advantage after the break with an 18-6 run orchestrating the largest lead of the game at 17 points (54-38) with 13:25 remaining in the matchup.
From there, Endicott proceeded to hold off a comeback bid from Suffolk and remain undefeated in conference play. Endicott (4-2, 2-0 CCC) travels to the University of New England on Tuesday, December 6 at 7:30 PM
Women’s College Basketball
Wheaton 65, Salem State 45 – Coming off an exciting win against Clark on Thursday, Salem State women’s basketball hoped to notch their second road win of the week as they traveled to Norton, Massachusetts to take on the Wheaton College Lyons. The Lyons outscored the Vikings by 23 points in the final two stanzas to take the 64-45 victory, dropping Salem State to 3-6 on the season.
Suffolk 80, Endicott 65 – The Endicott women’s basketball team fell to Suffolk, 80-65, in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action on Saturday afternoon at MacDonald Gymnasium.
Emily St. Thomas (Sterling), Sarah Dempsey (Windham, N.H), Tara Laugeni (Woodbridge, Conn.), and Libby Fleming (Bangor, Maine) all finished in double figures for the Gulls.
Endicott (3-3, 1-1 CCC) visits the University of New England on Tuesday, December 6 at 7:30 PM.
Endicott College: No. 3 Women’s Rugby Punches Ticket To NCR National Championship
HOUSTON, Texas — The No. 3 nationally ranked Endicott women’s rugby team defeated No. 2 Northern Michigan, 31-19, in the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) National Semifinals on Saturday afternoon at AVEVA Stadium.
With the win, the Gulls (9-0) will play No. 4 Lee University in the NCR National Championship tomorrow at 11 AM (EST).
Tess Merrill (Greenwich, N.Y.) was named Player of the Match for her overall play in addition to burying three conversions.
Sarah Aylwin (Topsfield, Mass.) highlighted the offense with two tries, while Jessica Parkinson (Middlefield, Conn.), Grace Kenkel (Brunswick, Maine), and Kaitlyn Quinn (Salem, N.H.) all found the try zone once, respectively.
The Gulls raced out to a 14-10 lead before Northern Michigan answered with a 12-0 run of its own to bring the contest within one score.
Endicott responded 12 straight points and never looked back in the contest.
WHAT’S NEXT
No. 3 Endicott (9-0) plays No. 4 Lee University in the NCR National Championship on Sunday, December 4 at 11 AM (EST).
(Photo Credit – Olly Laseinde)
