For Immediate Release
Contact Dave Geringer, Sports Information Director, (508) 990-9651  [log in to unmask]
Saturday, February 4, 2006					 

UMASS DARTMOUTH DEFEATS FRANKLIN PIERCE, 6-1

WINCHENDON, MA– Junior forward Ray Kirby (Fairhaven, MA/York Stars/Salem State) scored twice and added an assist and freshman goaltender Jeff Green (Medway, MA/Valley Junior Warriors) made 20 saves and earned the first assist of his career as the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s hockey team defeated host Franklin Pierce, 6-1,  in their ECAC Northeast Conference game at the Robinson-Broadhurst Community Arena Saturday night.

Kirby scored goals in both the first and third periods. He converted passes from senior forward Eric Frank (Waltham, MA/Traverse City Enforcers) and junior defenseman Paul Carr (Springfield, MA/Springfield Cathedral HS) for the only goal of the first period.

Kirby’s second goal gave UMD a 3-1 lead. He was assisted by senior defenseman D.J. Aucoin (Marlboro, MA/Waltham HS) and sophomore defenseman Tyler Crocker (Wakefield, MA/Wakefield HS) when he gave the Corsairs a 3-0 lead four minutes into the third period. also assisted. Senior forward P.J. Lovett (North Falmouth, MA/Falmouth HS) scored a minute and 13 seconds later to make it 4-0. Senior forward Mike McPherson (Chelsea, MA/Brewster Academy) and junior forward Peter Lindner (Parlin, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) drew assists.

Freshman defenseman Francis Gunn (Winthrop, MA/Berkshire Academy) scored the only goal of the second period to make it 2-0 at the 6:50 mark.

Junior forwards Kyle McCullough (Danvers, MA/Boston Jr. Blackhawks) and Jim Foley (Brockton, MA/Catholic Memorial HS) scored UMD’s final two goals. McCullough’s goal was assisted by Frank and Green and 11:15 of the final period, and Foley scored from Aucoin and Kirby less than a minute later.

Joseph Fields scored the only goal for the Ravens, at 10:28 of the third period. he was assisted by Matt Clement and Peter Wilson.

UMass Dartmouth out shot Franklin Pierce, 49-21. Raven goalie Robert Arduini made 43 saves.

The Corsairs improved to 16-4-0 and 9-1 in the ECAC Northeast Conference with the victory, winning their 13th game in a row and 14th in their last 15 games. Franklin Pierce fell to 1-14-4 and 0-10-3 in ECAC Northeast play. The Corsairs will return to action when they host Wentworth Wednesday evening.

UMASS DARTMOUTH HOCKEY

BOX SCORE

UMass Dartmouth       			1	1	4-6
Franklin Pierce				0	0	1-1

FIRST PERIOD

1, UMD – Ray Kirby (Eric Frank, Paul Carr) 3:51

SECOND PERIOD

2, UMD –Francis Gunn (unassisted) 6:50

THIRD PERIOD

3, UMD – Ray Kirby (D.J. Aucoin, Tyler Crocker) 4:00 PPG
4, UMD – P.J. Lovett (Mike McPherson, Peter Lindner) 5:13
5, FPC – Joseph Fields (Matt Clemente, Peter Wilson) 10:28 
6, UMD – Kyle McCullough (Eric Frank, Jeff Green) 11:15 PPG
7, UMD – Jim Foleyt (D.J. Aucoin, Ray Kirby) 12:09 PPG


SHOTS: FPC- 21 ; UMD -49.
SAVES: FPC – Robert Arduini, 43; UMD –Jeff Green, 20.
PENALTIES/MINUTES:  FPC – 8/16 ; UMD – 7/14.
POWER-PLAY GOALS/OPPORTUNITIES:  FPC- 0/6; UMD – 3/8.