WESTFIELD, Mass. – Freshman Paul Frys (Portland, Oreg.) provided the game-winning goal in the early stages of the third period to lift Westfield State over Umass. Dartmouth, 2-1, in MASCAC action Tuesday afternoon at Amelia Park Ice Arena.
The Corsairs got on the board midway through the first period after a Jonathan Ruiz (Williamstown, N.J.) shot from the corner caused a scrum in front of the Owls net, providing Eric Bolden (Oswego, Ill.) the opportunity to slam home his 11th of the season for the 1-0 Corsair lead.
The two teams played to a stalemate for most of the second period, but then Westfield State finally broke through. On a power-play with under a minute remaining in the period, senior captain Lenny Caglianone (Matawan, N.J.) fed Daniel Backstrom (Helsinki, Finland) in the slot who faked the shot and slid the puck over to the back door where freshman Jake Ratcliffe (Canterbury, New Zealand) would blast home his ninth of the season to tie the game at one apiece.
Play was even again throughout most of the third period until Backstrom would cause a turnover, leading to a Paul Frys (Portland, Oreg.) eventual game-winner that squeaked by Parker Butler (Summit, N.J.) to put the Owls up 2-1 for good.
After the goal, Umass. Dartmouth poured the attack on, but all efforts were stopped by Thierry Messervier (Montreal, Quebec) who had 34 saves in the affair. Butler put forth a great effort himself, gathering 31 saves for the Corsairs.
The win brings the Owls to a 5-3 mark in the conference, while the loss drops Umass. Dartmouth to 4-4-1 in the MASCAC.
This game was the first of a home-and-home series between the two teams. They will face off again this Thursday in New Bedford, Mass. with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m.