Murphy returns to lineup with goal

BIDDEFORD, Maine (January 2, 2016) – The Franklin Pierce University men's ice hockey team took a 2-1 lead midway through the second period on Saturday afternoon, but University of New England scored the next three goals at Harold Alfond Forum, as the Ravens suffered a 5-3 defeat in non-conference play. Freshman forward Brady Fleurent scored twice in the win for UNE.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 2-10-0, while UNE improves to 6-4-2, as both teams opened the second half of the season.

The two teams traded goals in the first period, with UNE striking first. Freshman forward Jimmy Tich put home his second goal of the season at the 8:12 mark, off of assists from junior forward Blaise Healy and junior defenseman Dustin Walsh. Sophomore forward Jonathan Haun (Buffalo, N.Y.) had the answer for Franklin Pierce at the 16:34 mark with his fifth of the campaign, while fellow sophomore forwards Sean Gargin (Staten Island, N.Y.) and Evan Marek (Enfield, Conn.) provided the assists.

At the 11:08 mark of the second period, the Ravens took the lead, on the second goal of the season for sophomore forward David Wilcox (Stillwater, Maine), who picked up assists from Marek and senior forward Paddy Murphy (York, Maine). However, UNE would strike twice in the final six minutes of the middle stanza to take the lead for good. At the 14:39 mark, Brady Fleurent's sixth of the season came off of helpers from freshman forward Dylan Bengston and junior forward Trevor Fleurent. Senior defenseman Cassidy April followed with his first of the year at 17:28, while sophomore forward Pavel Tereshchenko and senior forward Ben Pearl provided the assists.

The eventual game-winning goal came 7:08 into the third period, off the stick of Bengston. His fifth of the season came off of assists from Brady Fleurent and Tereshchenko. Franklin Pierce closed the gap to 4-3 with a shorthanded goal at 16:33, on the first of the season for Murphy, who was assisted by senior defenseman Dan Gibbons (Quincy, Mass.) and junior defenseman Alex Schleper (Sutton, Mass.). For Murphy, the two-point night (1-1-2) came in his return to the lineup, as he had not played since the season opener, due to injury.

UNE capped the scoring at 17:42, on Brady Fleurent's second goal of the game, capping his three-point day (2-1-3). Bengston and Trevor Fleurent provided the assists on the play.

Sophomore goaltender Tom McGuckin (Clayton, N.J.) piled up 40 saves against 45 shots on the day, but suffered the loss (1-5-0) in net for Franklin Pierce. Senior Mason Riley started and played the first 30:56 in net for UNE, making nine saves against 10 shots before making his exit. Freshman Connor Maloney (4-0-1) went the rest of the way and made nine saves against 11 shots to pick up the win for the Nor'easters.

The Ravens return to the ice on Saturday, Jan. 9, when they return home to host Suffolk in a non-conference contest. Opening faceoff is set for 8 p.m. at Jason Ritchie Ice Arena in Winchendon, Mass.

For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce men's soccer apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).