FALL RIVER, Mass. – Powered by a top shelf tally late in the third period, Roger Williams University edged UMass Dartmouth, 4-3 in the season opener for both teams at Driscoll Arena on Friday night.
Locked in a 3-3 tie following the first career collegiate tally from rookie left winger
Ryan Patrick, the Corsairs looked to net to go-ahead tally. It was a battle at both ends, but the homestanding Hawks claimed the win as rookie center Daxton St. Hilaire scored his third of the night into the top left corner of the net to complete the hat trick at 17:24.
The Corsairs pulled the goalie with 1:35 remaining and benefited from a late penalty call against Roger Williams but could not light the lamp for the equalizer as time expired.
UMass Dartmouth opened the game's scoring as sophomore defenseman
Hunter Scanlon collected a pass from the classmate and fellow blueliner Brennan Pecararo in the right circle. His shot sailed past the reach of freshman netminder Jacob Jaslow at 3:02 of the first.
The Hawks tied it at 1-1 at 12:46 as rookie center TJ Sullivan buried a feed from right winger Aidan Radic at 12:46, but the Corsairs had the final word as rookie center
Kailin Chen netted his first collegiate tally off a pass from junior right winger
Alex Walker. Senior left wing
Vincent Nicosia was credited with the secondary assist.
Roger Williams responded at 12:26 of the second period, tying the contest at 2-all as St. Hilaire notched a shorthanded goal. St. Hilaire went on to make it a 3-2 game with his second of the contest, before Patrick tied it up on an outstanding effort in front. Sophomore defender
Tristan Boyer was credited with the lone assist on the goal.
UMass Dartmouth, which held a 32-31 advantage in shots for the game, went 30-56 on the faceoff, including a 10-17 margin by junior center
Nolan Wutzke. Senior netminder
Graham Burke shouldered the loss, making 27 saves, including 12 in the first and 10 in the third.
The Corsairs return to action on Saturday afternoon, hosting Westfield State in their home opener at Hetland Arena. Game time against the Owls – their former conference-rival – is set for 5pm.
The Corsairs opened the game's scoring as sophomore defenseman
Hunter Scanlon drove home a shot past the reach of
