Junior Anthony D'Elia recorded two points on one goal and one assist in tonight's 8-2 win over Franklin Pierce.

Skyhawks cap regular season with fifth victory in their last six contests

FOXBORO, Mass. (February 18, 2015) – The Stonehill College ice hockey team utilized eight different goal scorers and senior netminder Chris Tasiopoulos (Norwell, Massachusetts/Thayer Academy) made 23 saves as Stonehill cruised to an 8-2 victory over Franklin Pierce University this evening in Northeast-10 Conference ice hockey action on senior night at the Foxboro Sports Center.

Senior Stephen Balsamo (Atkinson, New Hampshire/Brewster Academy), juniors Robbie Dorgan (Ossining, New York/Boston Bulldogs) and Anthony D'Elia (Stamford, Connecticut/Gunnery School) and sophomore Brian Higgins (Milton, Massachusetts/Proctor Academy) keyed the strong offensive performance with two points each on one goal and one assist.

Making just his eighth appearance of the season, freshman defenseman Connor Tedesco (Winchester, Massachusetts/Proctor Academy) dished out three assists. Fellow blueliners Brendan Greene (Weymouth, Massachusetts/Boston Advantage) and Travis Army (Englewood, Colorado/Worcester Academy) added one goal each, while junior Thomas DePoalo (Mendham, New Jersey/Morristown Beard School) and freshman Tommy Newton (Hollis, New Hampshire/Portland Jr. Pirates) also found the back of the net for Stonehill.

Senior Kevin Aufiero (Canton, Massachusetts/Walpole Express) was among six Skyhawks to record multiple points this evening with his two assists.

Starting the last regular season contest of his career, Tasiopoulos made six saves in the first period, 13 in the second, and four in the third before being replaced by junior Matt Palella (Chicago, Illinois/Loyola Academy).

Junior Brendan Glynn (Quincy, Massachusetts/Bridgton Academy) and sophomore Connor Mauro (Shrewsbury, Massachusetts/New England Wolves) each scored for Franklin Pierce, while seniors Tim Sullivan (Rye, New Hampshire/Kents Hill) and Brendan FitzPatrick (Winthrop, Massachusetts/Bridgton Academy) and freshman Brad Riccardi (Scarsdale, New York/Wilkes-Barre Knights) were credited with assists.

Freshman Tom McGuckin (Clayton, New Jersey/Portland Jr. Pirates) started in net for the Ravens and made 22 saves in 33:19 of action, while classmate Etienne Roy (Saint-Henri, Quebec/Connecticut Oilers) took over in the second period and stopped 17 shots in 20 opportunities the rest of the way.

Glynn staked the Ravens to a 1-0 lead just under five minutes into the first period, but Newton equalized for Stonehill at the 8:09 mark with his second goal of the season. The Skyhawks would take the lead for good with 1:10 left in the period when Higgins took a feed in the slot from junior Tom Jenkins (Canton, Massachusetts/Williston Northampton) and fired it past McGuckin.

Stonehill went up 3-1 with a power play tally 3:25 into the second period, as Greene scored on a wrist shot from a tough angle near the top of the right circle. DePoalo added another goal 5:29 later, and D'Elia scored with the help of Tedesco and Dorgan at the 13:19 mark to give Stonehill a 5-1 lead heading into the third period.

Balsamo got in on the action five minutes into the third, recording his fourth goal of the season, before Mauro answered for Franklin Pierce midway through the period to make the score 6-2. Stonehill struck back 2:40 later on a goal by Army, and Dorgan capped the scoring in the final minute as the Skyhawks improved to 19-0-2 in their last 21 regular season NE-10 contests.

Stonehill held a 47-35 edge in shots, putting 16 on net in each of the first two periods and 15 in the third, while the Skyhawks were also able to convert on three of their eight power play opportunities.

Stonehill (14-5-4, 8-0-2 NE-10) will be back in action on Saturday afternoon, when Saint Anselm College visits the Foxboro Sports Center for an NE-10 Tournament semifinal contest. Opening face-off is set for 1:50 p.m.   

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