Fitchburg State roundup: Falcons, Owls play to…
Fitchburg State roundup: Falcons, Owls play to a draw
PUBLISHED: January 23, 2011 at 12:00 a.m. | UPDATED: July 12, 2019 at 12:00 a.m.
Submitted report
The Fitchburg State University ice hockey team battled to a 3-3 draw with visiting Westfield State in MASCAC action Saturday.
Trailing 3-2 with less than a minute on the clock, Westfield State pulled starting goaltender Ian Wilson to skate with a man advantage and the risk paid off. After nearly giving up the game's insurance marker to Falcon Chris Riggs — whose empty net attempt from center ice sailed wide — the Owls bolted to the other end of the ice to the net the game's equalizer with only 25 seconds remaining in regulation.
Freshman Stephen Tellier connected for the game-tying marker for his third goal of the season, taking a feed from the far right side of the ice and slipping it past Falcon keeper Bobby Vorse. Tellier teamed up with junior Pat Nelson and Vince Perreault for the tally, sending the game into a five-minute overtime period.
In the extra frame, neither team could capitalize on its opportunities, with Fitchburg State winning the overtime shots battle, 5-1.
Fitchburg State opened the contest with an early 1-0 lead as sophomore Jack Vets connected for his third goal of the season at the 8:09 mark, but Westfield State rallied right back, knotting the score 1-1 on a Dennis Zak goal at 10:44.
In the second, the Falcons grabbed another one-goal advantage as junior Thomas McAleer hit home for his seventh score of the season, but the lead was short-lived again as Westfield State answered just 1:11 later with sophomore Rory Wilkowich's first goal of the year.
After 15 minutes of deadlocked action throughout the third period, Fitchburg State finally broke free, using a Riggs tally at the 15:11 mark for a 3-2 advantage. Vorse turned in a complete-game effort in net, totaling 30 saves in 65 minutes of work.
Fitchburg State (11-4-1, 5-3-1 MASCAC) will hit the ice again Thursday as it hosts Worcester State at 7 p.m. Westfield State (2-12-2, 1-7-1 MASCAC) will host Salem State University Thursday.
Senior Robert Hopkins piled up 11 points and nine rebounds to lead Fitchburg State, but the Falcons fell to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, 78-67, in MASCAC action.
Hopkins paced the Fitchburg State offense, shooting 5 of 10 from the field, while also adding a pair of assists and two steals on the afternoon. Senior Elliot Knower was also strong, totaling a team-high 13 points. Junior Stephen Verdi added 12 points and seven rebounds.
Senior Benny Cuprill was strong for MCLA, registering a game-high 18 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Trailing by one point, 15-14, midway through the first half, MCLA received a spark from junior Chris Harris, whose three-point play at the 9:39 mark initiated a 16-0 Trailblazer run. In the second half, MCLA continued its offensive dominance, opening a 20-point lead just three minutes into the period.
Fitchburg State (3-12, 0-4 MASCAC) will be in action again Tuesday as it host Westfield State at 7:30 p.m. MCLA (13-3, 4-0 MASCAC) will travel to Bridgewater State Wednesday.
Senior Hilary Perks scored a career-high 20 points as MCLA defeated Fitchburg State University, 75-65.
Fitchburg State was led by senior Melissa Proffitt, who tallied a team-high 12 points while battling foul trouble throughout the game. Sophomore Jill Moses added 11 points, while Amy Fahey finished the contest with 10.
Fitchburg State (8-7, 2-2 MASCAC) will be in action again Tuesday as it host Westfield State at 5:30 p.m. MCLA (11-5, 3-1 MASCAC) will travel to Bridgewater State Wednesday.