UTICA, N.Y. – The Neumann University Men's Hockey team challenged #14 Utica University on Saturday night and dropped a 4-1 decision in non-conference play.
 
Utica got on the scoreboard first when they deposited a rebound in at the 6:11 mark. With 12:24 left in the period, Lucas Culhane stole the puck in the neutral zone and fed Ben Gibbons with a pass. He moved in a took a shot then Niko Tishkevich followed the play and scored on the rebound for his team-leading eighth of the season, tying the game.
 
In the second period, the Pioneers carried much of the play and it paid off with 7:55 left in the period when they scored on a four-on-four situation. 3:51 later, Utica doubled the lead as a deflected puck found its way into the net for a 3-1 score. With less than a minute remaining in the frame, Tyler Ray hit the post on a breakaway, and the Knights would stay down by two heading to the break. Utica added another goal with 10:30 left in the third to seal the game.
 
Judd Katz led the Knights with four shots on goal while Odin Ford had three. Culhane had three blocked shots to lead the team as they had a total of 17. Cole DeFazio made 45 saves in goal.
 
Neumann (7-4-1) will return to action next weekend for two key Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) games against Stevenson University. Friday's game will start at 7:00 PM and Saturday's will start at 4:00 PM. Both from the IceWorks Skating Complex.