November 19, 2009

Fitchburg State Edges Framingham, 5-4 (OT)

McAleer nets game-winner to lift Falcons to first MASCAC victory

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (November 19, 2009) - Sophomore Thomas McAleer (East Islip, N.Y./New York Bobcats) lifted Fitchburg State to its first MASCAC victory of the season, scoring the game-winning goal just 1:52 into the overtime period to post a 5-4 win over Framingham State College this evening.

CHRIS COSTIGAN

Freshman Chris Costigan (Salem, N.H./Northern Cyclones) registered another strong game for Fitchburg State with one goal and one assist in the contest, while classmate John Vets (Hamden, Conn./Hartford Jr. Wolfpack) and sophomore Kris Threlkeld (Centerville, Ohio/CD Selects) added one score apiece. Senior captain Andrew Hutton (Brewster, Mass./Boston Harbor Wolves) chipped in on the offensive attack with one marker, while McAleer rounded out the Falcons scoring.

The Falcons came out flying high, recording four unanswered goals throughout the first 28 minutes of the contest to take a commanding 4-0 lead. Costigan started the Fitchburg State scoring just 1:55 into the first period with his second goal of the season, while Hutton followed later in the frame with his first goal of the year. The Falcons added another set of goals (Vets and Threlkeld) early in the second period, but then the Framingham State offense kicked into gear.

The Rams began their four goal pursuit at the 8:24 mark of the second period as Nicholas Calma (Simi Valley, Calif./Simi Valley) connected for back-to-back to scores to cut the Falcon lead to 4-2. Framingham State continued to inch closer in the third as Nicholas Jackson (Las Vegas, Nevada/Jersey Shore Raptors) brought the Rams within one on his first score of the season.

Framingham State completed the four goal comeback late in the third period as Josh Williams (Upper Marlboro, Md./Washington Jr. National) fired a shot from the point that found the back of the net for an unassisted power play goal with 41 seconds left in the game. The Rams comeback ended quickly however, as McAleer netted the game-winner moments into the overtime period.

Sophomore Bobby Leiser (Monroe, N.Y./New York Applecore) registered 32 saves for the Falcons, while junior Terence Sullivan (Shirley, Mass.) stopped 33 shots in the losing effort.

Fitchburg State (2-0-1, 0-0-0 MASCAC) will be in action again on Saturday as it hosts Salem State College at 7 p.m. Framingham State (0-3-1, 0-2-1 MASCAC) will travel to Worcester State College on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 5, Framingham State 4 (OT)

Team

1

2

3

OT

F

Fitchburg State (2-0-1, 1-0-0 MASCAC)

2

2

0

1

5

Framingham State (0-3-1, 0-2-1 MASCAC)

0

1

3

0

4

Scoring
First Period: FIT: Chris Costigan (Chris Brecken), 1:55; FIT: Andrew Hutton (Erik Trahan), 14:07;
Second Period: FIT: John Vets (Andrew Jones), 3:29; FIT: Kris Threlkeld (Justin Quinn), 7:43; FRA: Nicholas Calma (Blair Nickerson, Jason Anderson), 8:24;
Third Period: FRA: Calma (John Sheehan), 1:52; FRA: Nicholas Jackson (Nickerson), 6:12; FRA: Joshua Williams, 19:19;
OT: Thomas McAleer (Costigan), 1:52
Goaltending: Bobby Leiser (61:52), 32 saves; FRA: Terence Sullivan (61:23), 33 saves;
Shots: FIT: 38; FRA: 36