Worcester State 4, Franklin Pierce 3 OT
Auburn, MA --- Worcester State junior center Andrew
Brady (Oreland, PA) sent in the game-winning goal to cap
off a thrilling third period comeback as the Lancers defeated
Franklin Pierce 4-3, in overtime, this evening at Horgan Memorial
Rink.
Down 3-1 with 12 minutes left in the contest, WSC (4-10-1, 1-6-1
ECAC NE) erased the deficit with two markers from sophomore
Billy O’Neil (Strafford, PA) and freshman
Cody Warila (Shirley, MA). Warlia's game-tying
tally followed a WSC timeout and was scored with just 1:14 left in
regulation on assists from junior Mark Rintel
(Queens, NY) and freshman John Cahalane
(Tewksbury, MA).
With momentum on their side, the Brady hit the match-clinching goal
with 2:44 on the clock in overtime with first-year Nick
Asterito (Philadelphia, PA) and junior Lee
Belisle (Chicopee, MA) each contributing helpers on the
play.
The game started out with a scoreless first period as both teams
finished gridlocked in shots (10-10) while they each went 0-3 on
power play opportunities.
The second stanza was a different story with Franklin Pierce
(5-10-2, 4-8-2 ECAC NE) with senior Jeff Kaspar
(South Boston, MA) and sophomore Sean Woodring
(Rogue River, OR) each scoring markers three minutes apart to go up
2-0. While the Ravens ended the frame the lead, WSC out shot the
visitors 15-8.
Senior Bill Knauber (Buffalo, NY) cut the lead
with a marker four minutes into the final period before Franklin
Pierce made the score 3-1 on freshman Corsen
Schneider’s (Stony Point, NY) fifth goal of the
season.
The Lancers then scored at 11:03 on O’Neils goal, with an
empty net and extra offensive player on the ice, to set the stage
for their third period comeback.
With an assist on the game-tying goal, Warlia has now dished out a
team leading 10 assists while Knauber leads all defensemen on the
team with six points.
Ravens junior Ben Siok (Holden, MA) was
outstanding in the cage as he finished the game collecting 40 saves
while his classmate and counterpart, Andrew Evans
(Cromwell, CT), registered 28 stops.
The Lancers will entertain Framingham State for their last game
this season against a MASCAC opponent before playing six of eight
away from Horgan Rink. Franklin Pierce continues its three game
road trip with Assumption before closing out the 2009 campaign with
four games at home. For both matches, the opening face off will
commence at 7:30 on Saturday.