The Suffolk University women’s hockey team took down the University of New England in the Commonwealth Coast Conference semifinals on Feb. 25 by a score of 6-0 to set up a championship date with the Endicott Gulls this upcoming Saturday.
The Rams never let the Nor’easters get close, scoring two in the first period and four in the second to secure a spot at the CCC championship for the first time in program history.
“The kids came out flying. We don’t usually put up that many goals that early,” said Suffolk head coach Taylor Wasylk.
Suffolk was an offensive machine, outshooting UNE 63-18. Program records for playoff game assists (12), goals (6) and points (18) were all set. Sammy Lassman led the offensive onslaught for the Rams with two goals and two assists.
The victory was Suffolk’s first playoff win since February 29, 2020, when they defeated Southern Maine in a New England Hockey Conference matchup. The victory over UNE was also the first home win in playoff history.
“We lost to Curry in the quarterfinals last year so we definitely didn’t want that to happen again, whether it was UNE or anyone else,” said captain Shana Cote. “We came out, played as a team and got that 6-0 win.”
Now playing as a graduate student using her extra year of eligibility, Cote is one of the original women’s hockey team members from the 2018-19 season.
“We’ve had so many ups and downs throughout the playoffs I feel like everyone is coming out and is ready to win,” said Cote.
Wasylk said going to the championships is particularly meaningful for players like Cote.
“We are super happy the five seniors and the four fifth years are here with us. Especially players like Shana who have been here since day one and been leaders since day one,” said Wasylk. “We’re hoping we can end with a trophy for them, and we’ve just missed it twice and had a little bit of an early exit last year so we are really excited they came back this year.”
The Rams will face a familiar opponent in the Gulls, who they are 1-2 against this season. Suffolk and Endicott traded matchups in November, with each score being 2-1. The Gulls stood victorious on Feb. 11 by a score of 3-1. Endicott has won the last three CCC championships and appeared in the NCAA tournament last season.
“We had a few tough games with them earlier in the year. In the first game, I thought we were the better team but they won in [overtime]. The second game I thought they were better but we found a way to win in [overtime],” said Wasylk. “I think we are pretty well matched, good goalies, good offense, usually put up a lot of shots, spend a lot of time in the offensive zone so it should be a pretty good back-and-forth game I’m hoping.”
The Rams will battle for the title at 4:50 p.m. at Porazzo Rink in East Boston on March 4.
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