WINCHENDON, MASS. (Feb. 7, 2004) - The Franklin Pierce fell 6-1 to UMass Dartmouth in ECAC Northeast hockey action this afternoon at Robinson-Broadhurst Arena.

Freshman Tyler Vrolyk (Boylston, Mass./New England Jr. Coyotes) led all scorers with two goals. Sophomore Eric Frank (Waltham, Mass./Traverse City Enforcers) helped out with a goal and two assists for the Corsairs, while junior Brandon Koziara (W. Springfield, Mass./Springfield-Cathedral) and senior Chris Dussault (Billerica, Mass./Billerica) each tallied two assists.            

Sophomore Rob Pendola (Everett, Mass./Mass Mariners) was the lone Ravens scorer and juniors Matt DePuydt (Houghton, Mich./SUNY Canton) and Chris Pryputniewicz (Berlin, Conn./Fitchburg State) both recorded assists on the goal.

The Corsairs took a 1-0 lead at 8:59 in the first as Dan Aucoin (Waltham, Mass./Waltham) scored on a short-handed opportunity. Pendola was able to even it up for the Ravens with his team-leading eighth goal of the season at 16:30 in the period.

However, UMass Dartmouth came out flying in the second and third and scored five unanswered goals, three in the second and two in the third, to secure the win.

Ravens senior goaltenderAndy Tinti (Buffalo, N.Y./SUNY Canton) stopped 50 shots in net and junior Kevin McGowen (Hingham, Mass./Trinity-Pauling) made 21 saves to pick up the victory.

Franklin Pierce (3-16, 1-14 ECAC Northeast, 0-4 NE-10) next hosts Castleton State on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. UMass Dartmouth (15-6, 9-3 ECAC Northeast) hosts Wentworth at 7:30 on Wednesday.

UMass Dartmouth 6, Franklin Pierce 1

First Period: UMD, Dan Aucoin (Eric Frank, Mike McPherson) 8:59 SH; FPC, Robert Pandola (Matt DePuydt, Chris Pryputniewicz) 16:30.

Second Period: UMD, Tyler Vrolyk (Chris Dussault) 0:50; UMD, Ian Seaver (Brandon Koziara)               10:31; UMD, Frank (Dussault, Scott Trahan) 18:56 PP. 

Third Period: UMD, Peter Lindner (Jim Foley, Matt Brown) 8:08; UMD, Vrolyk (Koziara) 16:48 PP.

Goaltenders: FPC, Tinti 50 saves; UMD, McGowen 21 saves.