UTICA, NY – The Utica College men's hockey team lost 4-1 to ECAC West rival Neumann University Friday night at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. Utica's Trent Samuels-Thomas (West Hartford, CT/Omaha (USHL)) netted his first collegiate goal in the second period, while freshman defender Dalton Carter (Toledo, OH/Northern Cyclones (EHL)) picked up his team-best eighth assist of the season for the Pioneers.

The Pioneers (1-4-1, 0-4-1 ECAC West) are right back on the ice Saturday against nationally-ranked No. 2 Oswego State in the Frozen Dome Classic at Syracuse University's Carrier Dome.  Face-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Neumann was led by two goals each from Jon Low and Shayne Morrissey, while Ryan Luiten,and Shane Topf each added a pair of assists.

The Knights jumped out to a 3-0 lead 6:30 into the second period before.  The Pioneers answered with a 6-on-4 power-play goal by Thomas to cut their deficit to 3-1 with less than eight minutes to go in the second stanza. Carter and Peter LaFosse (Merrimack, NH/Kimball Union Academy) assisted on the goal for the Pioneers.

That was as close as the Pioneers would get, as the Knights put the game away midway through the third period when Morrissey sealed the victory with his second goal of the night, off an assist from Liam Board, to give the visitors a three goal cushion. 

Utica outshot the visitors 43-21 on the evening, but they could not seem to find the back of the net as the Knights skated to a three goal victory. 

Utica freshman goalie Cory Simic (Whitby, Ontario/Smith Falls (CCHL)) stopped 17 shots in his second collegiate start, while Ben Curley made 42 stops in the victory for the visitors.

Neumann is now 4-1-1 on the season, while moving to 4-1 in league play and remain on the road as they head to Rochester, NY Saturday to face ECAC West foe Nazareth College.  The puck is set to drop at 4 p.m.