WINCHENDON, MASS. (Jan. 28, 2004) - The Franklin Pierce ice hockey team dropped a 5-3 decision to Worcester State at the Robinson-Broadhurst Community Arena this evening.

Senior captain Justin Vallas (Wilmington, Mass./Wilmington) led the Lancers with two goals; freshman Josh McClellan (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) chipped in with three assists and Jason Rogato (Lynn, Mass./Winchendon) tallied two helpers. Drew Belleville (Springfield, Mass./Cathedral), Dan Liberty (Wilmington, Mass./Wilmington) and Jim Olson (Dracut, Mass./Central Catholic) all registered goals in the win.

Junior Jason Pierce (Maynard, Mass./Nashoba Regional), sophomore Rob Pendola (Everett, Mass./Mass Mariners) and freshman Brian DelSavio (Orangeburg, N.Y./Pearl River) all recorded goals for the Ravens, while sophomore Shawn Dooley (Rockland, Mass./Archbishop Williams) and freshmen C.J. Demmons (Wolfeboro, N.H./Kimball Union) and Mike Anderson (Keene, N.H./Laconia Leafs) posted assists.

The Lancers put Franklin Pierce down 2-0 after one with goals from Vallas and Olson at 6:04 and 11:02, respectively.

At 2:36 in the second, Vallas scored his second power play goal of the evening from Rogato and McClellan to put Worcester State up by three and Liberty made it 4-0 with the eventual game-winner at 13:39 in the stanza. Pierce began the Ravens’ rally with a late second period power play goal at 19:52 from Anderson.

DelSavio knocked one in for the Ravens at 2:16 in the third from Dooley and Demmons and Pendola brought Franklin Pierce within one with a shorthanded goal at 10:41 in the period. However, Belleview put an end to the Ravens rally attempt with a power play goal with just 32 seconds remaining in regulation to round out the scoring for the night.

Ravens senior goaltenderAndy Tinti (Buffalo, N.Y./SUNY Canton) stopped 39 shots in net and senior Jon Coderre (Weatogue, Conn./Simsbury) made 26 saves to pick up the victory.

Franklin Pierce (3-13, 1-11 ECAC Northeast, 0-4 NE-10) next travels to Assumption on Saturday for a Northeast-10/ECAC Northeast matchup at 7:30 p.m. Worcester State (4-12, 3-6 ECAC Northeast) will face Framingham State on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

Worcester State 5, Franklin Pierce 3
 

First Period: WSC, Justin Vallas (Jason Rogato, Josh McClellan) 6:04 PP; WSC, Jim Olson (Todd Nichols, Joe Nasta) 11:02.

Second Period: WSC, Vallas (Rogato, McClellan) 2:36 PP; WSC, Dan Liberty (Dan Grout, McClellan) 13:39; FPC, Jason Pierce (Mike Anderson) 19:52 PP.

Third Period: FPC, Brian DelSavio (Shawn Dooley, C.J. Demmons) 2:16; FPC, Robert Pendola (unassisted) 10:41 SH; WSC, Drew Belleville (unassisted) 19:28 PP.

Goaltenders: FPC, Tinti 39 saves; WSC, Coderre 26 saves.