Neumann Tops Utica 2-1

#12 Neumann 2, #7 Utica 1 - Box Score

Ashton, PA (11/19/2011) - The nationally-ranked No. 7 Utica College men's hockey team hit a familiar road block against ECAC Men's West Conference foe Neumann, falling to the Knights for the seventh straight time, 2-1, Saturday night in Ashton, PA.  UC junior assistant captain Evan Chlanda tied the game up at 1-1 midway through the second period, but the home team answered with the eventual game-winner towards the end of the second stanza.  Both teams were held scoreless in the final 20 minutes of action as the Pioneers snapped a three game winning streak and fell to 5-2 overall and 1-2 in conference play. 

Neumann, which was coming off a 7-4 loss to Manhattanville at home on Friday night, advanced its record to 3-2 overall and 2-2 in conference play.  Elmira (4-2, 4-0) is the only ECAC West team that has not lost a conference game this season.

Utica fell behind 1-0 midway through the first period of play when Andrew Love scored his first goal of the season, past UC sophomore goalie Evan Smith, to give the Knights the early advantage.  Smith finished the day with 24 saves as his record moved to 2-2 on the year. 

Chlanda's game-tying goal came at 9:18 of the second period off an assist from senior captain Tim Coffman.  Coffman now leads the team with 12 points on nine assists and three goals through seven games.

With 1:21 left in the second period Neumann was able to punch home the game-winner from the stick of Jeff Bienvenue to give the Knights a slim 2-1 advantage. The Pioneers could only muster four shots in the third period and Neumann goalie Matt Tendler stopped 24-of-25 shots on the day to earn the victory for the Knights.  Both teams were held scoreless on the power-play and Utica only committed one penalty all evening.

Utica will rest for 12 days before taking on host Manhattanville on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. The following day the Pioneers will return home to the friendly confines of the Aud for a non conference meeting against Buffalo State at 6 p.m.

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