UTICA, N.Y. – The Neumann University men's ice hockey team's season came to an end as the bid to upset No. 1 seeded Utica College fell just short on Saturday evening in an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) West semifinal game.
 
Thomas Mansbridge and Matt Zendejas each finished the game with a goal and an assist. Anthony Pupplo made 29 saves in net. The Knights edged the Pioneers in shots 36-33.
 
After playing to a scoreless first period, the Pioneers netted the only two goals of the second period. Utica tallied a power play goal just 44 seconds into the second frame and then added a goal at the 6:40 mark.
 
The Pioneer took a 3-0 lead 5:26 into the third period. Zendejas put the Knights on the board a minute later off assists from Mansbridge and Shane Topf. Joe Mitchell got Neumann to within one with 5:04 left in regulation. Ryan Luiten and Zendejas tallied the assists. A minute and half later, Mansbridge tied the game at three. Johannes Sallila and Nick Perruccio had the assists.
 
The comeback was short lived as Utica responded just over a minute later with the eventual game-winner. The Knights pulled the goalie as an attempt to force overtime, but they could not get another equalizer.
 
Neumann says goodbye to its 14 seniors as the season comes to an end. The Knights finish with a 16-8-3 record.