MORRISVILLE, N.Y. – The Morrisville State Men's Ice Hockey team dropped a non-conference tilt with local rival Utica College 4-1 on Friday evening.
The visiting Pioneers dominated early, pounding the Morrisville net with 18 shots on goal, converting one of their opportunities at the 3:25 mark with an even-handed strike from Anthony McVeigh. However, the Mustangs' defense tightened up in support of Morrisville's net minder, Jared Young (Pueblo West, Colo.) who recorded 25 of his 43 saves in the first two periods.
The Mustangs returned the favor in the second period, outshooting Utica 15-7, but were unable to find the back of the net. The Pioneers were unable to score as well and the Mustangs headed into the second intermission down by one.
The tenth ranked Pioneers turned up the pressure in the third period, scoring three times while holding the Mustangs to just three shots on goal. Utica's first goal of the third came at 2:20 into the third.
Up 2-0, the Pioneers struck again, taking advantage of a Morrisville tripping penalty. Utica's Roman Ammirato put home the power play goal, his twelfth of the season.
The Mustangs were whistled again late in the third for another tripping penalty, but Ryan Bochert (Denver, Colo.) got into a passing lane and shot up the middle of the ice for a breakaway goal for Morrisville, bringing the score to 3-1 in favor of Utica. The short-handed goal was Bochert's fourth goal of the season.
Unfortunately, six seconds after the Mustangs killed their penalty, Utica shut the door on any comeback attempt, picking up their fourth goal of the game with 41 seconds remaining in the period.
The Mustangs will now focus their attention on the remainder of their conference slate. Morrisville will host the Bears from SUNY Potsdam on Friday and Saturday, January 19 and 20. Both matchups are scheduled for 7 PM in Morrisville, N.Y.
Morrisville State College's curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.
The college was ranked among the Best Regional Colleges in the North by U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2018 issue and was also recognized in the Top Public Schools, Regional Colleges North in the 2018 Best Colleges rankings. For more information about Morrisville State College, visit www.morrisville.edu.
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