WESTFIELD, Mass. –  Westfield State senior defenseman Triston Theriot scored the game-winning goal with 7:46 left in the third period as the Owls held off Franklin Pierce University, 3-2 in a non-conference game at Winchendon on Thursday afternoon.

The Owls played with just 16 skaters due to health and safety protocols, but got 25 saves from goalkeeper Valtteri Valtonen to preserve the win.  The Owls survived Raven power plays at the end of the second and third periods.

Westfield got on the board first, just 2:47 into the game with a goal from John-Michael DiGregorio on a breakaway feed from Jason Diamond.

Franklin Pierce tied the game at 1-1 midway through the period, but Westfield regained the advantage at 2-1 at the 18:20 mark of the first period when Matt Pelletier found Cory Morris wide open in front for the one-timer.

FPU tied the game at 2-2 at 10:23 of the third period, with Vito Carlo tallying on the power play.

The Owls got the lead back for good at 12:14 of the third, as Theriot fired a low shot through traffic from the high slot as Westfield got the extra skater on the ice in a delayed penalty situation. Diamond picked up his second assist of the day on the goal.

Valtonen closed the door from there, as the Westfield (7-4-2) won their third straight and sixth in the last eight games.

Franklin Pierce (4-9-2) got 28 saves from Kyle Martin in the loss.

Westfield is scheduled to return to MASCAC conference play on Saturday, hosting league-leading Plymouth State at Amelia Park at 5:35 p.m. on Saturday.