Corsairs Slip After Final-Minute Westfield State Score

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. – Westfield State junior Gianluca Marini scored the game-winning goal with 1:40 remaining in regulation time to give the Owls a 3-2 victory over UMass Dartmouth in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) game on Thursday night from New Bedford, Mass.
 
The Owls (9-9-1, 5-7-0 MASCAC) jumped ahead of the Corsairs (6-11-2, 4-7-1 MASCAC) in the conference standings with this result. 
Marini registered two points on the night, scoring the game-winning goal while also assisting in the equalizer. Westfield State junior Cory Morris, who scored the go-ahead goal in their win over Post this past Tuesday, recorded an assist on the Marini winner.
 
UMass Dartmouth obtained two one-goal leads in the first period as both teams scored a pair of goals in the frame. Freshman Matthew Zdanowicz began the scoring 6:33 into the period, connecting on a power play goal with senior Michael Perrone and junior Michael Mania recording assists.
Westfield tied the game four minutes and 16 seconds later, first year Brett Williams potted his fifth of the season on a feed from senior Mathieu Jones.
 
Both teams then traded goals less than a minute apart, beginning with UMD freshman Billy McDevitt who scored the Corsairs second goal of the night. McDevitt was assisted by fellow freshmen Kevin Johnston and Jimmy Mettler. The Owls' senior Justin Collins quickly answered on a power play opportunity for Westfield to draw the Owls even.
 
UMassD's senior goalie Daniel Davidson registered 41 saves for UMass Dartmouth as the Owls outshot the Corsairs 44-35. Owls' junior goalkeeper Valtteri Valtonen picked up his second win of the season against the Corsairs, stopping 33 shots on net. 
 
UMass Dartmouth looks to redeem the loss on Saturday night when they host Worcester State at the Hetland Arena. Puck drops at 5:40 PM. 
 
C/O westfieldstateowls.com