Box Score HARTFORD, Conn. – Four consecutive goals, including a pair from Stephen Buco (North Providence, R.I.) pushed 10th/11th ranked men's ice hockey past 8th ranked Trinity College (Conn.) by the final of 5-3 in a match-up of two undefeated teams Sunday afternoon at Koeppel Community Center.
Sunday's victory moved the Beacons to 8-0-0, while the Bantams dropped to 4-1-1 in the non-conference match-up. It also marked the first meeting between UMass and Trinity since the 2010-11 season, and stands as the fifth win all-time against the Bantams.
After trailing 3-1 through the first five minutes of the second period, the Beacons quickly tied the contest at three goals each with Nathan Milam (Westland, Mich.) and Buco each finding the back of the net. After Buco's then tying goal, Mike Miller (Wrentham, Mass.) put UMass out in front 56 seconds later to make it 4-3 with four minutes 30 seconds left in the period.
With the lead now in their favor the Beacons defense settled in and neutralized the Bantams offense and power-play unit. Junior netminder Zach Andrews (Coral Springs, Fla.) would go on to hold Trinity scoreless for over 35 minutes, and finished with 34 saves to earn his sixth win of the year. With that victory, the Florida native now holds the record for wins all-time with 35 and counting. Andrews surpassed the all-time mark of 34 set by Tom Corliss '87 (1983-87).
In the third period, the two teams exchanged shots back-and-forth as UMass looked to gain some room, while the Bantams looked to tie the contest. The final goal of the day would come on an empty-netter, just seconds after the Bantams pulled Nathaniel Heilbron.
Registering the game-clinching score was Buco, who had a three point day as he also picked-up an assist on Milam's second goal, which at the time made it 3-2 in favor of Trinity. Milam also recorded the first goal of the day for the Beacons as he scored his first shorthanded tally at the 5:04 mark of the first period to make it 1-1 at the time.
On the power-play, the Beacons finished 1-for-2, while Trinity went 2-for-6 overall. The Bantams led the afternoon 37-32 in shots on goal. UMass finished with a game-high eight blocked shots, while Trinity totaled five.
Men's Hockey returns to action on Friday when they host the University of New England at 7 p.m.
