AIRFIELD, Conn. - Freshman defenseman Francesco Dell'Elce scored his first two goals of his collegiate career and added an assist for a three-point night, helping No. 15/17 Massachusetts hockey to a 6-1 win at Sacred Heart on Saturday. Following the victory, the Minutemen improve to 3-2-0 on the season, while the Pioneers fall to 1-2-0.
"I wasn't happy with the first two periods," said UMass head coach Greg Carvel. "I thought we were sloppy and not competing at a very good level. "I had a stern message after the second period and it was great to see us come out and be rewarded for playing at a level that we should be playing at."
After a scoreless first, Dell'Elce opened up the scoring with a power-play goal through a screen after collecting the puck from Ryan Lautenbach and Daniel Jencko 2:20 into the second period.
Dell'Elce added another exactly seven minutes later, banging home a rebound into an open net from Dans Locmelis and Cole O'Hara.
Sacred Heart cut its deficit in half at the 16:26 mark of the second period when Marcus Joughin set up Mikey Adamson for a power-play goal.
Junior Lucas Mercuri gave UMass back its two-goal lead 3:50 into the third period with a redirect of a shot from O'Hara at the top of the crease. Lautenbach earned an assist on the play, as well, his second of the night.
Just 65 seconds later, Jack Musa scored from the high slot off a pass from Dell'Elce on the half wall.
Cam O'Neill then pushed the margin to 5-1, tucking in a puck at the doorstep after Kenny Connors and Jencko won a battle for possession below the goal line at 6:29.
O'Hara capped the scoring with his NCAA-leading ninth point of the season and third point of the night, a power-play goal on a tic-tac-toe setup from Aydar Suniev and Connors at 12:53.
Sacred Heart finished with a 21-20 edge in shots on goal. UMass went 2-for-5 with the man advantage, while the Pioneers were 1-for-4.
Michael Hrabal totaled 20 saves in net for the Minutemen and Cullen DeYoung stopped 14 for Sacred Heart.
UMass will be back in action on Friday, October 25, when the squad will play host to UConn for its Hockey East opener at 7 p.m. at the Mullins Center.
