Box Score

Feb. 9, 2008

Utica, NY - What a difference a game makes. Coming off of an exciting win and performance against Elmira College, the Knights travelled up to Utica, New York to take on the Utica College Pioneers. All of the goodwill the Knights built up with their win over Elmira a week ago was lost as the Knights fell to the Pioneers 7-2.

In the first period the Pioneers jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Jeff Pappalardi scored the first goal of the game at the 15:29 mark. The two teams challenged each other over the next several minutes before Utica added a second goal to go up 2-0. Right before the first period ended, Neumann junior, forward Mike Hedden was able to connect with a passes from junior Kyle Casey from senior Mark Van Vliet for his 30th goal of the year. Although Hedden's 30th goal of the season brought the Knights back to within one and also put him at the leader for all of NCAA Division III Hockey, it would not prove to even the score for the Knights. The score at the end of the first was Utica 2, Neumann 1.

Down one point at the end of the first period is as close as the Knights would get. When the second period started the Pioneers defense and tactics began to unravel the Knights, and their frustration was apparent. They began taking penalties that would cost them opportunities and personnel. The Pioneers ratcheted up their efforts to make the game more physical and as they wore down the Knights physically, they also wore down the Knights' focus.

Utica's Watson scored at the 9:27 mark of the second period to put the Pioneers up by 3-1. This was followed up by another Utica goal by Fitzgibbons to put the Pioneers up by 4-1. At this point, the Knights frustrations finally began to take a toll. Junior forward Donovan Hall was sent off the ice after being called for a game misconduct penalty. The second period ended; 4-1 in favor of Utica College.

The third period demonstrated the frustrations continuing for the Knights as they took a five minute major penalty. The team watched as team leaders and captains, senior Neil Trimm, senior Mike Gooch and junior Lincoln-Kaleigh Schrock all tangled-up with Pioneer players. Each were sent off the ice with 10 minute game misconduct penalties. With the loss of their leadership, the Knights were unable to regroup and the Pioneers lengthened their advantage with two more goals to make the final score 7-2.

The Knights outshot Utica 36-27. They will play Utica Saturday February 9th at 7 p.m. in the second game of the weekend series. If they can stay out of the penalty box they will be one step closer to regaining the balance they need to win.