Lancers Defeat Franklin Pierce, 4-3, in OT

Worcester State 4, Franklin Pierce 3   OT

Box Score  

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.