ASTON, Pa. - The Neumann University men's ice hockey team dropped its second straight contest to Stevenson University on Saturday night, falling by a score of 4-2 in United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) action.
 
Zac Boyle led the way for the Knights with both goals, while Kyle Pantalone was excellent in goal in the loss, making 35 saves.
 
Hoping to pick up much needed conference points after falling Friday night to the Mustangs, Neumann played an inspired first period. The Knights outshot the visitors by a count of 12-9 in the frame on their way to scoring the only goal of the period. Using the man-advantage, Boyle banged home a rebound from close range to give the hosts an early 1-0 lead at the 11:04 mark. Pantalone was also superb in the in the period, stopping a Stevenson breakaway on his way to nine saves.
 
It would not take long for the Mustangs to flip the game on its head though in the second. Stevenson scored twice in a 28 second span in the period's first two minutes to take its first lead of the day at 2-1. The score remained that way until midway through the stanza, when another power play led to an equalizing goal for the Knights. A seeing eye shot from Boyle in the high slot ricocheted off a leg in front and caromed past the Stevenson goaltender to level things up at two apiece with 9:06 left in the frame. Neumann could not hold onto the momentum built from the goal though, conceding just four minutes later while killing a penalty of their own to trail 3-2 heading to the second intermission.
 
From there, the Mustangs locked things down. Stevenson outshot the Knights by a count of 17-4 in the final 20 minutes, holding the hosts to only a few quality chances. As the clock ticked down to the waning moments, Neumann attempted to get back into the game by pulling its goalie, but an empty netter with 26 seconds left in the contest from the visitors doomed the Knights to their third loss in four games.
 
Neumann (1-3-2) will now have a two week break between games after a few postponements next weekend. The team will be back on the ice on Friday, March 26th when they head to Wilkes University. Puck-drop is scheduled for 5:00 PM.