Ravens hang tough, but Chieftains advance to Conference semi-finals

BRIDGEWATER, MASS. (Feb. 29, 2004) - After battling back from a 2-0 deficit in the first, Franklin Pierce was narrowly edged out by Stonehill, 4-3, in Northeast-10 tournament quarterfinal action tonight at Bridgewater Ice Arena.

Freshman Matt Pollara (Plymouth, Mass.) led the Chieftains with two goals and an assist on the evening for three points, including the game-winner. Senior Brendan Ready (Cape Elizabeth, Maine) also chipped in with three points on three assists.

Junior Matt DePuydt (Houghton, Mich./SUNY Canton) had a team-best two goals for the Ravens and classmate Mark Gibbons (Quincy, Mass./Archbishop Williams) posted two points as well on two assists.

Tallies by Pollara and sophomore Brian Dudley (Waltham, Mass.) gave the Chieftains a quick 2-0 lead in the first as the goals came only eight seconds apart on a 5-3 advantage at 9:26 and 9:34. DePuydt cut the Ravens deficit in half with a goal off a feed from senior Ed Farinato (Medford, Mass./Bay State Breakers) at 12:18 in the period.

The score remained 2-1 in favor of Stonehill until freshman Brian DelSavio (Orangeburg, N.Y./Pearl River) netted his fourth of the season 1:51 into the second from Gibbons to even the score at two goals apiece. However, the Chieftains managed to jump back in front at 14:35 in the second as sophomore Andrew Joy (Vernon, Conn.) completed a pass from Ready and Rob Pascale (South Portland, Maine).

The Ravens knotted the score again as Depuydt netted his second of the game from Gibbons at 3:58 in the third on a four-on-four, but Pollara managed to post his second of the night, the game-winner for Stonehill, 8:44 into the final period.

Franklin Pierce netminder Andy Tinti (Buffalo, N.Y./SUNY Canton) stopped 41 shots in net and senior Billy Whitfield (Stoughton, Mass.) made 13 saves to pick up the victory for Stonehill.

Franklin Pierce closes out its second varsity season with an overall record of 5-19, 2-17 in the ECAC Northeast and 0-6 in the NE-10. Stonehill advances to the Conference semi-finals against St. Michael's on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Stonehill 4, Franklin Pierce 3

SCORING:
First Period: STO, Matt Pollara (Brendan Ready, Craig Pasquantonio) 9:26 PP; STO, Brian Dudley (Pollara, Ready) 9:34 PP; FPC, Matt DePuydt (Ed Farinato) 12:18 PP.
Second Period: FPC, Brian DelSavio (Mark Gibbons) 1:51; STO, Andrew Joy (Ready, Rob Pascale) 14:35.
Third Period: FPC, DePuydt (Gibbons) 3:58; STO, Pollara (Unassisted) 8:44.
GOALIES: FPC: Andy Tinti (45 shots, 41 saves). STO: Billy Whitfield (15 shots, 13 saves).