Worcester, MA- With the final game of 2024 set for this afternoon, the Worcester State Men's Ice Hockey Team (4-5-1, 2-2-1) are looking to carry a .500 record into 2025. Wrapping up the season sees the Lancers take on the Penmen of Southern New Hampshire University in their quest to even out their record and claim another NE-10 victory.

Final

Worcester State: 5

SNHU: 3

How it Happened:

The opening period of action was not to the Lancer's forte as the Penmen managed to grab an early 2-0 lead as Worcester looked to find their blades on the ice. The second period was more to Worcester's tune as they managed to put four biscuits in the baskets in the period. The first came from senior Brigham Neuhold (Edmond, OK) just four minutes into the period. Just over two minutes later Senior Drew Eid (Gorham, ME) and Martin Dlugolinsky (Stara Lubovna, Slovakia) would connect with sophomore Maximillian Hussar (New Canaan, CT) for the second of the day. The Oen men would respond to reclaim the lead in the following two minutes, but Worcester was not going to allow that lead to stand for long as senior Shane Prifrel (Inver Grove Heights, MN) would send a perfect slip to junior Anders Gronstad (Royal Oak, MI) to tie the game back up at 3-3. In the final moments of the period Prifrel would continue the Worcester momentum and claim their first lead of the afternoon as a rebounded shot attempt was collected and sent the puck zipping past the Southern New Hampshire keeper for the 4-3 lead.

Goal number 5 for the Lancers would come halfway through the third as sophomore Matthew Nuzzolilo (Worcester, MA) received a pass from fellow sophomore Michael Schaaf (Nashua, NH) and Neuhold. The Lancers defense would hold off the attempted comeback from the Penmen to claim the closing victory of the 2024 season. 

Sophomore Donovan Alfama (Douglas, MA) would grab his first win of the season on a 30 save performance for the Lancers.

What's Next:

With the closing of 2024, the Lancers (5-5-1, 2-2-1) will return to action on January 9th when they head to UMass-Dartmouth to take on the Corsairs in return to conference play.