Neumann 3, Utica 1 -
Box Score
Ashton, Pa. (2/12/2011) – The nationally-ranked No. 7 Utica College men's hockey team battled from an early two goal deficit but came up just short, falling 3-1, at ECAC Men's West Conference foe Neumann University Saturday night. The loss marked the second in as many nights for the Pioneers as they saw their overall record fall to 17-7. With the victory Neumann, which swept UC in three games this season, jumped Utica in the conference standings and now holds sole possession of second place with 13 points.
“You're not going to win scoring just two goals and going 0-for-10 on the power-play on the weekend,”
said tenth year Head Coach
Gary Heenan of the Pioneers 0-2 weekend. “I'll hand it to Neumann they got the better of us this weekend. We need to regroup and concentrate on Elmira next Saturday back on our home ice.”
After falling behind 2-0 in the first period for the second straight night the Pioneers answered with a second period goal from the stick of freshman forward
George Lotito (Staten Island, NY/NH Jr. Monarchs (EJHL)) to make the contest interesting. Freshman
Steve Charest (Amqui, Quebec/Walpole Express (AJHL)) and senior assistant captain
Sean Timkey (Rochester, NY/Capital District (EJHL)) assisted on Lotito's fourth goal of the season. Timkey had two assists on the weekend.
The Pioneers failed to convert on a power-play opportunity midway through the third period and Neumann's Bill Foster notched an empty net goal with 55 seconds left in regulation to seal the win for the home team.
The Knights outshot the Pioneers 30-26 on the evening and went 1-for-4 on the power play to earn their 12th win of the year. Freshman goalie
Evan Smith (Penticton, British Columbia/Calgary Royals (AJHL)) made 27 saves in net for UC, while Ross MacKinnon made 25 saves in net for Neumann.
The Pioneers return to the ice next Saturday night for their final regular season contest of the season when they take on conference leading Elmira College back at the friendly confines of the Utica Memorial Auditorium. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7 p.m.
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