WORCESTER, Mass. – For the second time in four years, the Assumption University men's ice hockey team won the Woo Cup, defeating Worcester State University 7-3 in the finale Sunday evening at the Worcester Ice Center.
THE BASICS
Score: Assumption University 7, Worcester State University 3
Records: Greyhounds (2-0-0, 0-0-0 NE10) | Lancers (0-2-0, 0-0-0 MASCAC
HOW IT HAPPENED
Worcester State opened the scoring at the 4:11 mark of the first period, as Matthew Nuzzolilo netted an unassisted goal to give the Lancers an early 1-0 advantage. Assumption responded late in the opening frame when
Chris Stackhouse scored his second goal of the season at 15:38, with assists from
Brett Cunningham and
Brady Clark, tying the teams at 1-1 heading into the first intermission.
The Lancers regained the lead just 22 seconds into the second period on a goal from Myles Kidd, but the Greyhounds quickly took control.
Daniel Lemanski tied it at 2-2 at 6:13, with assists from
Jamison Alicandro and
Cayden Miceli. Just 1:14 later,
Leo Piandes scored his first goal of the season, assisted by
Justin Scarbrough and
Jonathan Surrette, giving Assumption its first lead of the night at 3-2.
Worcester State answered with a power-play goal from Nicholas Weber at 11:21 to tie the contest at 3-3. However, the Greyhounds responded with three goals in 1:26 to break the game open.
Caden Connors scored the eventual game-winner on the power play at 13:13, with assists from
Jake Russell and
Andrew Toomey. Just 14 seconds later,
Nick Demio extended the lead to 5-3 before
Patrick McKiernan added another at 14:39, sending Assumption into the second intermission with a commanding 6-3 lead.
Assumption continued its offensive pressure in the third period, as
Sean Donoghue scored his first goal of the season at 2:42, with assists from
Luke Evers and
Nathan Palumbo, extending the lead to 7-3. The Greyhounds controlled the final frame, outshooting Worcester State 23-9 while keeping the Lancers off the scoreboard to secure the four-goal victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Between the pipes, Michael Salvatore turned aside 36 shots to earn his second victory of the season.
- Assumption held a 50-39 advantage in shots and won 37 of 65 faceoffs.
- Seven different Greyhounds found the back of the net, while Surrette and Alicandro each recorded two assists. Lemanski and Piandes each finished with a goal and an assist.
- Chris Stackhouse was named the Lance "Duke" Brady Most Valuable Player after scoring two goals and adding an assist for three points for the Hounds.
- This is the second time Assumption has won the Woo Cup, after winning it in 2023-24.
- Assumption leads the all-time series 41-34-5
UP NEXT
- Assumption vs. Saint Anselm College, Friday, November 6, 7:00 pm.
- Worcester State vs. Saint Michael's College, Friday, November 6, 2:30 pm
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