UTICA, N.Y. – The Neumann University men's ice hockey dropped a 6-2 decision to Utica University in a United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) matchup on Saturday night.

Utica scored the first goal of the game on a power play at the 8:59 mark of the first. The Knights responded just 15 seconds later. Brady Mistler came in on a breakaway, thanks to an overhead pass by Luke Croucher, and scored his ninth of the season to tie the game up at one. PJ Demitrio also drew an assist on the goal. The Pioneers took the lead back with 3:56 left to go in the period.

Utica added its third goal of the game on a wraparound try with 10:52 remaining in the second. The Pioneers picked up another with 6:46 left in the frame to make it a 4-1 contest. Utica scored one more with 29 seconds left on the clock for a four-goal advantage heading into the third.

With 12:10 left in regulation, the Pioneers scored to take a 6-1 lead. While on the power play, Neumann was able to tally with 8:13 remaining in the third. After a Croucher sharp-angle shot was stopped, Yancy Whitaker deposited the rebound for his third goal of the season. Tyler Kulas picked up the second assist, pulling the Knights within four, but that is as close as they would come.

With tonight's 64 save effort, Cole DeFazio stopped 108 pucks on the weekend in upstate New York. Croucher totaled two assists on the night along with a team-leading three shots on goal, a distinction he shared with Chase Cochran.

Neumann (6-10, 4-8 UCHC) will return to action on Friday night for a non-conference match-up against Albertus Magnus College. The game is scheduled for a 5:00 PM start at IceWorks Skating Complex.