Ice Hockey Falls in NCAA First Round to Utica
UTICA, NY: The Fitchburg State ice hockey team fell to the Utica University Pioneers by a score of 5-1 in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament this afternoon. It was the Falcons' third trip to the NCAA Tournament under Coach Dean Fuller, who completes his 41st season leading the program.
THE BASICS:
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Date: 3/15/25
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Score: Fitchburg 1, Utica University 5
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Records: Fitchburg (13-12-5), Utica University (21-4-2)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Falcons came in hot after claiming the team's third MASCAC championship at home last week, entering the Adirondack Bank Pavilion to face off against the Utica Pioneers.
The Pioneers were aggressive from the jump, outshooting the Falcons throughout the game. The first score came in the sixth minute of the first period with senior forward Matt Wood (Garnet Valley, Pa.) scoring with an assist by Andrew Della Rovere (Caledon East, Ont.).
The Falcons followed with three shots on goal, but it was Wood who next found the net, scoring his second of the contest just under nine minutes into the period off an assist by Johnny Mulera (Rockville, Md.).
The second period was scoreless until the 18th minute, when Pioneers forward Aiden Hughes (Mississauga, Ont.) found the net with an assist by defenseman Ben Schulteis (Mount Juliet, Tenn.).
The Pioneers made it a 4-0 game in the 11th minute of the third period, when an unassisted Eric Vitale (Toronto, Ont.) got past Falcons' goalkeeper Max Macchioni (N. Kingstown, R.I.).
The Falcons scored their first and only goal of the game just over 15 minutes into the third period when Hunter Dunn (Douglas, Mass.) - the MVP of last week's MASCAC championship game - found the net with an assist from Matteo Orme Lynch (Courbevoie, France).
Macchione played hard in the net, making 38 saves off 43 shots, compared to 14 shots against Pioneers' goalkeeper Bryan Landsberger.
UP NEXT:
- Fitchburg State has wrapped up their 2024-25 ice hockey campaign.
STAY CONNECTED:
- For the latest on Fitchburg State University Athletics, follow the Falcons via social media on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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