WINCHENDON, MASS. (Jan. 15, 2003) - Sophomore Kevin Leonard netted three goals and dished one assist to lift Western New England College past Franklin Pierce, 8-5, in ECAC Northeast Conference ice hockey action at the Robinson-Broadhurst Community Rink this evening.

Sophomore Mike Szmeiter and senior Scott Rundlett each registered a goal and an assist in the win.

Franklin Pierce newcomer,Robert Pendola (Everett, Mass./Mass Mariners), was outstanding in his first game as a Raven, scoring two makers despite the loss. Junior Derek Mandatori (Newton, Mass./Newton North) added a goal and two assists, while freshman Dan McLaughlin (Medford, Mass./Boston Harbor Wolves) chipped in a goal and an assist.

The Golden Bears jumped out to the early lead as freshman Pat Henderson netted his second of the season just: 32 seconds into the opening period.

The Ravens answered immediately as junior Mike Sabini (New Paltz, N.Y./Newburgh Polar Bears) banged in a big rebound off of the initial shot from teammate Tim Randall (Amesbury, Mass./Boston Jr. Blackhawks) just three minutes later to knot the score 1-1.

The Golden Bears pulled ahead at the 6:04 mark as Rundlett redirected a shot from Szmeiter to make the score 2-1. Western New England extended its lead to two goals three minutes into the second period, but the Ravens fought back. Pandola one-timed a rebound off of a Mandatori slap shot to cut the Golden Bears lead in half.

The Ravens tacked on another marker nearly two minutes later as sophomore Mark Gibbons (Quincy, Mass./Archbishop Williams) sent McLaughlin in on a breakaway to make the score 3-3.

The Golden Bears closed out the second with a pair of goals, but the Ravens came out shooting in the third period. Pandola netted his second of the game to help Franklin Pierce pull within one once again, but Szmeiter buried a loose puck in front of the Ravens' net midway through the third to regain the two-goal advantage. The Ravens would not go away, as Mandatori one-timed a perfect pass to pull within one. Leonard spoiled the Ravens hopes of their first victory, however, as he netted two-straight goals, including an empty netter, to put away the game for good.

Franklin Pierce junior goalkeeper, Andy Tinti (Buffalo, N.Y./SUNY Canton), made 32 saves in net for Franklin Pierce, while Western New England's Chris Belden picked up his first victory of the season making 29 stops.

Franklin Pierce (0-11-1, 0-6-1 ECAC NE) returns to the ice on Saturday when it travels to Curry College for a Conference match-up at 4 p.m. Western New England (3-7-2, 2-3-1 ECAC NE) travels to UMass Dartmouth for a Conference game at 4:30 p.m.

Western New England 8, Franklin Pierce 5