Box Score WORCESTER, Mass. – Worcester State University scored a goal in each period to edge the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 3-2 this evening in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) men's ice hockey game at the Hart Center. The Corsairs outshot the Lancers in each frame to hold a decisive 48-29 advantage in shots, but were unable to net the equalizer.
Worcester State (3-8-2) raised its conference record to 2-4-1, while UMass Dartmouth (2-9-2) slipped to 2-3-2.
Junior Mike Restuccia (Malden, Mass.) and sophomore Matt Baldino (Woburn, Mass.) set up each power play goal to lead the Corsairs. Junior Billy Boudreau (Newburyport, Mass.) recorded his first marker of the season to draw the contest even at the 2:42 mark of the second stanza, while freshman Shayne Bailey (Quincy, Mass.) pulled the visitors within one midway through the third.
The ice was tilted in UMass Dartmouth's favor in the early portion of the contest as the Corsairs peppered their opponents' cage with the opening nine shots of the evening. However, the Lancers were able to withstand the pressure and produced the lone goal of the period. Junior Nick Drill (Madison, Wis.) potted his second goal of the season at the 12:39 mark to give the hosts the early advantage.
UMass Dartmouth was finally able to solve Worcester State's defensive attack less than three minutes into the second stanza. The Corsairs needed only four seconds to capitalize on their power-play opportunity, when Boudreau leveled the game at 1-all.
The Lancers also utilized their special teams to regain their advantage at the 14:03 mark. Senior Stephen Rock (Tulsa, Okla.) pounced on a rebound and netted his first marker of the campaign from the near, right dot. Despite being outshot 20-9 in the period, Worcester State took a 2-1 lead into the intermission.
Worcester State scored what proved to be the eventual game-winner less than seven minutes into the final frame. Senior Nathan Stanley (Meridian, Idaho) converted on the Lancers' second power play opportunity to register his fifth marker.
UMass Dartmouth would not go quietly as Bailey finished a feed from Baldino and Restuccia. The Corsairs were unable to convert on two power-play chances down the stretch to net the equalizer.
Freshman Tyler Fallica (Coram, N.Y.) made 28 saves over the final two periods to earn the victory, while sophomore JJ Solloway (Derry, N.H.) recorded 26 saves.
UMass Dartmouth will return to action at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, when the Corsairs host Framingham State University.
