Worcester State Falls Behind Early in 5-2 Loss to UMass Dartmouth

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. – University of Massachusetts Dartmouth senior Jon Houk (Richboro, Pa.) scored his first collegiate goal at the most ideal time, as his shot from the point proved to be the game-winner as the Corsairs defeated Worcester State 5-2 at Hetland Arena on Thursday evening.

With the win, the Corsairs advance to 12-7 and 8-5 in the MASCAC, while Worcester State drops to 6-10-3 and 4-7-2 in the conference.

UMass Dartmouth's sophomore Brendan McDonough (Wilmington, Mass.) opened scoring less than three minutes in, converting on the Jeff Kirkwoord (Ithaca, NY) helper. Junior Kyle Zacharewicz (Ludlow, Mass.) and Patrick Wrenn (Charlestown, Mass.) then set up Tanner Zacharewicz (Ludlow, Mass.) for his third goal of the season to extend the UMass Dartmouth lead.

For the third time in the opening ten minutes of the contest, the Corsairs struck again. Houk fired a slap shot from the point, deflecting the puck over Lancer goalkeeper Josh Reinstein (Woodland Hills, Calif.) and trickling into the net. Worcester State would get on the board before the end of the period, when Jim Lenoir (Exton, PA) scored on his team's first power play opportunity.

In the second period both teams dialed up the physical play with five combined penalties. Junior Mike Sones (Waterdown, Ont.) was the lone goal gathering the drop pass from Steven Leonard (Rockaway, NY) to beat Cory Lignelli (Glastonbury, Conn.) from the top of the right circle.

The Lancers would open up the third period with their second man-up goal of the night to cut the deficit down to a pair, but senior Mike Kelly (Stoneham, Mass.) potted an empty net goal as time ticked away on the Lancers.

Junior Drew Michals (Newton, Mass.) stonewalled the Lancers' attack, turning aside 35 of the 37 shots on cage.

Reinstein started for the Lancers, but faced only seven shots allowing three goals in the opening 9:32. Lignelli finished the outing, stopping 19 shots.

Over the past two years against Worcester State, the Corsairs are 5-0-1 in the six regular season meetings while outscoring the Lancers 23-12 over that stretch. 

Up next,UMass Dartmouth returns to Hetland Arena on Saturday as it hosts MASCAC leader Plymouth State for a 4 p.m. puck drop. Worcester State looks to snap a three game skid, as they welcome Framingham State on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Release Courtesy of UMass Dartmouth Sports Information