Lancers Drop Season Opener at Johnson & Wales, 5-3

PAWTUCKET, R.I. – The Worcester State University Lancers opened up their 2016-17 campaign with a 5-3 loss to the host, Johnson & Wales University Friday evening inside the Lynch Arena.

The first period was full of action, as five goals were scored in the stanza. Johnson & Wales came out to the ice looking to capitalize and did just that as Fran Mackin (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Matt Lanzillotti (Chicago, Ill.) scored two power play goals in the first three minutes of play. Worcester State proposed a comeback when they scored three back-to-back goals from Connor McKenzie (Nashville, Tenn.), Mitchell Purdie (Cavan, Ont.), and Jeff Pierson (Longwood, Fla.) to prevail the 3-2 lead going into the second period. Alex Pommerville (Macedon, N.Y.) assisted two of the three goals.

The second period saw two goals from Johnson & Wales' Jonathan Ruiz (Williamstown, N.H.) and Alan Boozer (Detroit, Mich.) to rally back and take a 4-3 lead going into the third period. In the final period, the Wildcats tacked on another goal just 23 seconds in, which proved to be the final goal of the night as the Wildcats claimed a 5-3 opening night victory over the Lancers.

Worcester State held the shot advantage 13-9 in the opening period. However, the Wildcats rallied back and totaled 33 shots in comparison to Worcester's 24 shots throughout the entirety of the contest. The Lancers were able to convert one of seven power play opportunities, while Johnson & Wales was able to grab two of five for a .400 percentage.

Johnson & Wales' Joey Ballmer (Kalamazoo, Mich.) earned his first victory of the season in goal as he tallied 24 saves on the night. Worcester State's Tyler Fallica (Coram, N.Y.) suffered his first loss of the season in net as he stopped 28 shots.

The Lancers return to the ice on Tuesday (Nov. 1) when they travel to UMass-Dartmouth for their first conference game of the year.