Worcester State 5, Assumption 3
Worcester, MA --- Worcester State College scored five unanswered goals including three on the power play en route to a 5-3 win over Assumption College in the first-round of the UBS Faceoff Classic at the Buffone Rink.
The second game between Fitchburg State College and Salve Regina University was still in progress.
The third-place game will be played Saturday at 4:30 p.m. with the championship slated for 7:30 p.m. at the Buffone Rink.
The Greyhounds moved to a 3-0 lead with three quick goals to start the second period.
Sophomore forward Matt St. Pierre (Alexandria, VA) opened the scoring with a wrist shot to the upper corner on a feed from sophomore forward Patrick Fitzgibbons (Holliston, MA) at 1:28.
St. Pierre upped the count to 2-0 with a power-play goal at 10:23 on a brilliant individual effort. Junior Ben Kirtland (Plymouth, NH) made it 3-0 at 13:01 on assists from sophomore forward Peter Bouchie (Belmont, MA) and junior defenseman Jon Retelle (Monmouth, ME).
The Lancers then started their comeback 23 seconds later as junior forward Lee Belisle(Chicopee, MA) scored with junior forward Andy Orsini (Rochester, NY) and sophomore Kris Matea (Taunton, MA) getting assists.
The Lancers scored again to cut the gap to one goal at 19:38 as junior forward Mark Rintel (Queens, NY) skated in on a feed from freshman forward Cody Warila (Shirley, MA).
Worcester State then took control in the third period scoring three power play goals. Sophomore forward Mark Elia (Worcester, MA) tied the game at 12:56 and junior forward Andrew Brady (Philadephia, PA) put the Lancers in front at 16:36. Senior forward Billy Knauber (Bufflao, NY) scored an insurance goal 21 seconds later.
Junior goalkeeper Andrew Evans (Cromwell, CT) made 19 saves to post the win, while junior Jamie Digiulio (Peabody, MA) made 24 saves for the Ice Dogs.
Release Courtesy of Assumption Sports Information