Spring Break
Men's hockey sweeps Washington, Jefferson University at home game
Kyle Towne
Issue date: 2/20/09 Section: Sports
|
"The games went really well for us," senior Matt Wodecki said. "We are missing some of our best players, so they were good wins."
Riding a five-game winning streak into Friday night's game, the Rams skated with a rightfully earned sense of confidence. Starting in net for the Rams was freshman Joe Spagnoli, who has assumed the starting role for Rhode Island 14 times.
The Rams jumped ahead early in the game, as they have been doing throughout the winning streak, with a goal by sophomore forward Bobby Gauthier five minutes in.
Defensive hockey ensued for the remainder of the period with neither team scoring, leaving the score 1-0 after one period.
"A lot of guys played for the first time," Wodecki said. "Some freshmen really stepped up."
Freshman defenseman Kyle Letourneau scored a goal just 19 seconds into the second period to increase URI's lead to 2-0.
The goal was followed up a minute later when senior Ben Herring set up fellow senior Corey Manley to extend the lead to 3-0.
The second period came to a close with the lead intact. The defense made the game easy for Spagnoli, only allowing the Presidents to shoot the puck on net eight times.
Washington and Jefferson University finally got its offense going midway through the third period when Chad Talotta scored in traffic to draw the score to 3-1.
Thirty-seven seconds later, Manley returned the favor to Herring, setting him up to score the fourth URI goal of the game. The score remained the same the rest of the way, ending 4-1.
"There was a lot of energy in the first game," Wodecki said. "But Saturday night was emotional for the seniors, and we needed to make a statement."
With the winning streak now at six, the Rams entered Saturday and senior night with plenty of momentum.
Washington and Jefferson took control of the game early, scoring on senior goalie three minutes in to grab the quick 1-0 lead.
Freshman John Lessard evened the score at 1-1 with his first goal of the season, eight minutes into the first.
Two minutes later, freshman Evan Dietz put the Rams ahead 2-1 after being set up by Letourneau and sophomore Colton Hurley. At the period's end, the Rams were skating with a one goal lead and plenty of momentum.
With two minutes left and both teams skating at full strength, it seemed as though the second period would be scoreless. Freshman Kyle Dagesse scored on an unassisted breakaway goal to break the silence, and was followed up 32 seconds later by freshman Richie Falasca's 12th goal of the season.
The period ended with the Rams up 4-1. The Rams continued to pour it on Washington and Jefferson's goalie as they had been doing all game.
Twenty minutes and two goals later (Manley and freshman Robert Beggi), the Rams had earned their seventh consecutive win by a score of 6-1.
"We've beaten every team we faced at least once now," Wodecki said.
The team will continue competition tonight at Drexel University.
"If we sweep this weekend we will be in a three-way tie for first place," Wodecki said. "The playoffs are coming up and we feel ready."
