Nov. 12, 2011

Box Score

BROCKTON, Mass. – Even with a three goal lead after the first period, the Corsairs of UMass Dartmouth (1-1) would not go quietly, however, the Beacons defense managed to hold off the late comeback to give UMass Boston (1-2) a 5-4 non-conference win Saturday afternoon at Hetland Ice Arena.

Giving the Beacons the early 3-0 lead going into the first intermission was sophomore Travis Daniel (North Brunswick, N.J.), junior Rob Florentino (West Roxbury, Mass.), and senior Kyle Tejchma (Fruitport, Mich.).  Each goal was the first of the season for the three players, with Daniel finding the back first on the power-play just 38 seconds into the game.

After that it was Florentino's turn to set off the red light as he too scored on the power-play at the 8:13 mark.  Tejchma capped off the explosive first period with just 42 seconds remaining in the period on an even strength unassisted goal.

The barrage from the Beacons caught the Corsairs completely off guard.  However after the first break, UMass Dartmouth came out firing netting three goals over the next 20 minutes of play.  UMass Boston would respond with two goals to keep control of the scoreboard.  Anthony Fitti (Havertown, Pa.) and Faiz Khan (Newhall, Calif.)  kept the Beacons ahead of their opponent, with Kahn's goal proving to be the game-winner.

In the final period, both teams continued to battle up and down the ice.  The two squads would cap off the final period with 10 shots each.  The UMass Dartmouth goal, which nearly changed the outcome of Saturday's contest came at the midway point of the third period.  With the momentum shifted in favor of the Corsairs, UMass Boston knew that they were going to have dig down deep and step up their defensive effort if they were going to leave the rink with the victory.

Luckily, freshman goalie Alex Scola (Exeter, N.H.) was up for that challenge as he held off the Corsairs through the final 10:24 to give the Beacons their first win of the 2011-12 season.  Scola, who also recorded his first collegiate victory between the pipes for the Beacons combined 32 saves, 14 of which came in the second period.

As a team, UMass Boston tallied 37 shots and was 3-for-4 on the power-play.  Their penalty-kill was just as strong as they held the Corsairs to just one power-play goal on five opportunities.  UMass Dartmouth posted 36 shots as team in Saturday's loss.

Men's hockey returns to action on Friday when they travel to Skidmore College for a 7 p.m. ECAC East contest.