BOSTON, Mass. - What started as a defensive struggle in the first period turned into an offensive slugfest in the opening game of the 58th Annual Men's Codfish Bowl Tournament on Friday afternoon. Tournament hosts UMass Boston outpaced the Lancers of Worcester State University, using a four-goal second period to take the 5-3 victory.

THE BASICS
UMass Boston 5, Worcester State 3

UMass Boston (5-7-2)
Worcester State (3-9-0)

HOW IT HAPPENED
After killing off an early UMass Boston power play, the Lancers cracked open the scoring, putting a puck past veteran goalie Sam Best for the game's opening score. Both tenders faced a barrage of shots with the visitors attempting nine and the hosts ripping off 17, but the score remained 1-0 after the first.

A scoreless start for the Beacons gave way just over four minutes into the second period. Making his season debut after a preseason injury, Ryan Leonard took a pass from leading goal-scorer Jude Kurtas and made good on a goal of his own to knot the score at one.

The Beacons' first lead of the afternoon came at the 8:35 mark in the second, when Jazz Krivstov joined in on Leonard's fun, scoring the first goal of his season to put the hosts up 2-1. Connor Foley added to the lead in the 34th minute, recording his fourth goal and ninth point of the season, tying Kurtas for the team lead. 

Worcester State momentarily stopped the bleeding with a score to cut the deficit to 3-2, but the Beacons came right back with a response. Leonard's second goal of his debut found the back of the net with less than 20 seconds remaining in the second quarter to put UMass Boston ahead 4-2.

Two full minutes had not yet ticked off the clock in the third before Krivstov put a bow on a two-goal game of his own, stretching the advantage to 5-2 with 18 to play. 

Though the final period was the Lancers' most aggressive on offense, Best locked in to protect the net, allowing one score on 12 shots faced to secure the 5-3 victory. With the win, the Beacons advanced to their third straight Codfish Bowl Championship game, where they will look to win their third straight title. 

BY THE NUMBERS

• Leonard and Krivstov combined for four goals and an assist after recording just one point in four total games prior
• Friday's game marked the fifth of Sam Best's campaign with at least 25 shots saved
• As a team, the Beacons committed just one penalty
• Jack Mortson won 11 of his 15 faceoffs against Worcester State
• The Beacons are 7-1-1 all-time against the Lancers with an eight-game undefeated streak in the series

WHO'S NEXT
The Beacons will face the winner of Sunday's semifinal match between Connecticut College and Suffolk University in the tournament championship game on Saturday. They will look to take home the Codfish Bowl Championship for the third straight year.