SUNY Cortland Downs Ice Hockey, 5-0

Worcester, MA --- SUNY Cortland senior Nick Zappia (Manlius, NY/Kingston Voageurs) registered two goals as he led the Red Dragons to a 5-0 triumph over Worcester State in non-conference ice hockey action on Thursday evening at the Hart Recreation Center.

The Lancers (2-8-2) had two chances early on power plays and senior Andrew Bates (Marblehead, MA/Boston Jr Bulldogs) couldn't corral a great attempt in front of the net midway through the frame.

Cortland State (6-6-2) also had a pair of opportunities themselves, but ended up scored with 59 seconds remaining in tie frame. Senior Kevin Antonik (Central Islip, NY) put the visitors on top off an assist by freshman Andrew McCann (Bowmanville, Ontario/Wellington Dukes).

The Red Dragons wasted little time in the middle period and went up 2-0 on a short-handed tally after Zappia darted behind the back line and finished a pass, following a WSU turnover in the neutral zone, from freshman Dan Broderick (White Plains, NY/New York PA Islanders).

Worcester State had good fortune entering the third period with 38 seconds remaining on a five-on-three power play, but failed to record a shot on net, even as the second penalty for SUNY Cortland expired.

The visitors used the momentum and tallied three goals in a 4½ minute span to put the contest away.

Junior Josh LaRose (Liverpool, NY/Syracuse Stars) started the rally for the Red Dragons with 5:57 off the clock in the final period before McCann and Zappia both potted markers of their own.

Cortland State freshman Drew Weigman (Annapolis, MD/Northern Cyclones) turned aside all 35 shots he saw between the pipes. Weigman (6-3-2) also blanked an opponent for the second time this season.

Worcester State junior Salvatore Tecci (Franklin, MA/Long Beach Bombers) collected 24 saves in 49:02 minutes of action. Tecci saw his record fall to 1-6-1 as freshman Tyler Fallica (Coram, NY/Ogden Mustangs) stopped six attempts on net in the final 10:58 of the third period.

Neither squad scored with the power play as the Lancers killed seven penalties – including a major late in the final frame. WSU was 0-for-6 on the night with the extra man edge.

Shots were even at 35-35 for the game while the Lancers led in bids over the first two stanzas, 27-20.

Both teams continue their season on Friday. Worcester State resumes their MASCAC schedule with a 7 o'clock home game against UMass Dartmouth while SUNY Cortland heads to Becker in a 3:40 PM meeting.