UMass Dartmouth Posts Shutout at Rivier

NASHUA, N.H. – Senior Jimmy Pelton scored a goal and dished out an assist to lead the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth hockey team to a 4-0 victory over Rivier University Friday evening at Conway Arena. The Corsairs captured their third consecutive contest to improve to 3-1, marking the program's best start since the 2010-11 campaign.
 
Pelton paced the offensive attack with his second multi-point contest in the past three games. Junior Jake Maynard continued his production from the blueline with a pair of helpers to record his third consecutive two-point game. Senior Griffin Wiencek made his debut in the visitors' starting line-up and produced the game-winning goal, while graduate student Dillon Radin and sophomore Michael Mania each found the back of the net.
 
UMass Dartmouth cracked the scoring column at the 8:50 mark of the first period, when Wiencek converted a feed from Pelton and junior Justin Weinbrenner.  The Corsairs carried a 14-9 advantage in shots during the opening 20 minutes, but entered the locker room with a 1-0 lead.
 
UMass Dartmouth doubled its advantage in the second stanza as Pelton converted a power-play opportunity at 11:28. Maynard was credited with a helper on the scoring opportunity. The Corsairs sealed the contest in the third with a pair of insurance markers. Radin produced his team-leading fifth goal of the season at 3:46, while Mania lit the lamp for the third time this campaign at 18:40. 
 
Graduate student Parker Butler earned the clean sheet with 17 stops, including nine in the opening period, to even his individual record to 1-1 on the season. Rivier sophomore Andrew LoRusso (0-2) tallied 34 saves in a losing effort.
 
UMass Dartmouth will return to action at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday when the Corsairs host Framingham State University in their 2021-22 home opener at Hetland Arena.