Corsairs' Season Ends In Quarterfinal Round Against Westfield State

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth hockey team's season came to an end with a 2-1 overtime loss against Westfield State Saturday night at Hetland Arena.

The Corsairs finish the season 10-13-2, while the Owls improve to 13-11-2 and advance to play in the MASCAC semifinals on Tuesday.

Graduate student Melker Kroon scored the lone goal for the Corsairs, while graduate student Chuck Costello and junior Justin Collins found the back of the net for the Owls.

Kroon put the Corsairs up 1-0 early. Sophomore Dominic Dumas sent a centering pass to senior Jimmy Pelton, who's initial shot rebounded off the keepers pad and Kroon was there to give the Corsairs the lead at the 4:29 mark of the first period.

It took until late in the second for the Owls to even the score. After a number of UMass Dartmouth shots, Westfield State was able to get the puck back on the other end of the ice. The Owls won a faceoff and junior Joseph Carbone found Costello for a slap shot that flew into the net to make it a 1-1 game with just over two minutes to go in the second.

UMass Dartmouth outshot Westfield 23-15 in the third period, but was unable to break the tie. It took only 1:37 in to overtime for the Owls to win it. A quick break down ice and slick passing from senior Jake Ratcliffe and sophomore Gianluca Marini led to the game winner by Collins.