McDonough power play goal lifts ice hockey past Franklin Pierce, 5-4

November 14, 2007

ASSUMPTION 5, FRANKLIN PIERCE 4

WINCHENDON, Mass. --- Senior center/captain LUKE MC DONOUGH (Norfolk, MA/Mt. St. Charles) scored the game-winning goal with just 49 seconds remaining in regulation, on the power-play, as Assumption College defeated Franklin Pierce University, 5-4, in a non-conference men's ice hockey game WEDNESDAY at the Winchendon School Arena.

The Ice Dogs evened their season record to 3-3, while the Ravens fell to 1-3.

McDonough's goal came on assists from senior left wing JOHN ROUTHIER (Saugus, MA/Malden Catholic/Winchendon School) and senior center MATT PAGET (Hingham, MA/Hingham).

Five different players scored for the Ice Dogs, capped off by McDonough's game-winner in the final minute. Routhier scored the Ice Dogs' first goal and assisted on its final goal for two points, while freshman left wing PATRICK FITZGIBBONS (Holliston, MA/St. John's) added two assists.

Franklin Pierce junior forward COURSEN SCHNEIDER (Stony Point, NY/Avon Old Farms) led all scorers with a game-high two goals, while senior captain JOE FIELDS (Towamencin, PA/Green Mountain Glades) and freshman forward SEAN WOODRING (Rogue River, OR/Eugene Generals) each scored single goals. Sophomore forward ROB PERRETTA (Staten Island, NY/Brockville Tikis) had two assists.

Franklin Pierce came out strong in the first period as Schneider scored just 54 seconds into the game. He took a pass from forward RYAN STRAYER (Murfreesboro, TN/Enfield, CT) and fired to the top right corner of the net.

Assumption came back to tie the game at 1-1 thanks to a fortunate bounce off-the-glass at the 9:57 mark. Senior left wing/captain JIM TRAHON (Needham, MA/Needham/Salisbury School) skated down the right side and fired a shot high and wide of the net. The puck came off-the-glass directly to Routhier at the left post, who fired into an open net.

The teams then traded goals before the end of the first period. Fields put the Ravens in front with his third goal of the season at 13:49 however freshman left wing MATT ST. PIERRE (Alexandra, VA/Bishop Ireton/Hebron Academy) scored his first career goal with just 26 seconds left in the period to tie it at 2-2. Fitzgibbons and freshman right wing MIKE DWYER (Somerville, MA/Worcester Academy) assisted.

Franklin Pierce utilized the power-play to take a 4-2 lead midway through the second period on goals by Schneider and forward JEFF KASPER (South Boston, MA/Catholic Memorial).

Assumption then scored the final three goals of the game to escape with the win.

Sophomore defenseman PAT KEENAN (Candia, NH/Berwick Academy) got the Ice Dogs back to within one later in the second period scoring off his own rebound. Then senior center MIKE RUST (Laguna Niguel, CA/Cushing Academy) rushed the net from the left and swept the puck under Franklin Pierce freshman keeper JEREMY ROSSIGNOLO (Rochester, NY/Springfield Pics) to tie the game, 4 4, with 7:32 left.

Franklin Pierce held a 32-22 edge in shots on goal, including an 11-5 edge in the final period. Sophomore goalkeeper JAMIE DI GIULIO (Peabody, MA/Tilton, NH School) turned away 28 shots to earn his first win of the season. Rossignolo made 17 saves on 22 shots for the Ravens.

Franklin Pierce hosts Wentworth Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Assumption returns to action TUESDAY against Saint Michael's in a Northeast-10 Conference game.

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