BUFFALO, N.Y. –
Drew Ulbrich notched both goals today for Hilbert, but the Hawks fell 9-2 to Morrisville State who remain in the hunt for the top seed in the NEAC play-offs with their 3-0 unblemished record.
Hilbert slipped a notch down (3-1) while Keuka College stayed on top at 5-0.
Even with a 3-0 deficit by intermission, Hilbert was never out of the game. The Hawks held a 18-17 shots advantage, though the Mustangs were on target with 12 shots on goal (v Hilbert's 5 sog). Both teams were successful in clears and Morrisville tossed two more turnovers than the Hawks in the first 30 minutes. The most important stat was in the face-off circle, where Morrisville earned three first-possessions (of four) after the restart.
Morrisville struck two more times before Ulbrich scored with 5:55 left in the third quarter. Just thirty-eight seconds into the final quarter Ulbrich did it again and the Hawks were still in the game, down 5-2.
But over a span of about 120 seconds, the Mustangs struck three times to stretch their lead to six goals with just over seven minutes remaining. The Hawks did not respond offensively and defensively gave up one more tally for the final 9-2.
Hilbert closed the game with a 2-shot advantage (37-35), but Morrisville continued to zero in on the inside of the frame outwhitting the Hawks 26-14 shots on goal.
Brenden Deady closed the game with 17 saves while Morrisville's goalie matched the double figure effort collecting 12 saves.
Morrisville tripled Hilbert's success-rate in the face-off circle picking up 10 wins vs Hilbert's three.
Travis Hicks out-worked all players today and scooped up four ground balls.
Sean Purtill and
Matthew Simon led the Hawks with six shots each. Purtill and
Shaughn Irving were credited with an assist today.
After playing a 'home game' at D'Youville College today, the Hawks continue their ways with another 'home game' at All-High Stadium (Main Street, Buffalo) when they host Medaille College on the Mavericks home field. That game is set for Wednesday, April 15 at 7pm.
