ESTERO, Fla. - Senior defenseman Justin Agosta (East Meadow, N.Y.) recorded a goal and an assist at the University of New Hampshire men's hockey team rallied past Princeton University, 3-2, in the second game of the Florida College Classic at Germain Arena Sunday afternoon.
The Wildcats improve to 10-10-1 overall while the Tigers fall to 3-14 on the year. Senior Casey Thrush (Easton, Md.) recorded the first goal of the night for New Hampshire while Matt Willows (Congers, N.Y.) struck on a power play to score the game winner in the second period.
Princeton took a 1-0 lead at the 13:53 mark of the first period as Mike Ambrosia received a stolen puck from Andrew Calof to the left of UNH netminder Casey DeSmith (Rochester, N.H.) and found the back of the net.
Thrush responded with 54 seconds left in the period with his second goal of the season. Senior blueliner Eric Knodel (West Chester, Pa.) sent a pass in to classmate Jeff Silengo (Madison, Conn.) who tipped the puck to Thrush who was waiting on the back door. Thrush sent the puck home for the goal to level the score at 1-1.
In the second period, Aaron Kesselman regained the lead for Princeton at the 2:43 mark as he received a pass from Aaron Ave just outside of the crease to the left of DeSmith.
Agosta fired back with his second goal in as many games with a rocket from just inside the blueline on a power play. Dalton Speelman (San Jose, Calif.) laced a pass to blueliner Brett Pesce (Tarrytown, N.J.). Pesce sent a pass to the stick of Agosta who fired a one-time shot into the net past Princeton goalie Sean Bonar.
Taking advantage of another power play, Willows netted his seventh goal of the season on a wrap-around shot. Pesce pass the puck to Agosta to start the play as Agosta found Willows blazing into the offensive zone. Willows took an initial shot that was saved, but grabbed his rebound and skated around the net for the goal.
At the end of three periods of play, the Wildcats emerged victorious by a score of 3-2.
DeSmith made 21 saves on 23 shots faced in the game to earn his eighth win of the season. His record improves to 8-8-0. Bonar made 43 saves on the 46 shots he faced from the Wildcats, receiving the loss. His record falls to 2-7-0.
The Wildcats went 2-for-6 on power play opportunities in the game while holding Princeton goalless on two attempts.
The Wildcats are back on the ice as they host Nebraska-Omaha for a pair of home games, beginning Friday, Jan. 3 at 7:30 p.m.