Gorham, Maine - The Saint Joseph's College Monks would push a fellow undefeated team to the final buzzer, only to be edged by a final of 8-7 to the Norwich University Cadets.
The Cadets wasted little time, jumping out to an early lead with a goal from Ryan Nelson one minute into the opening period. Jason Riley (Dedham, Mass.) responded for the Monks, blasting a shot over the shoulder of Norwich starting netminder Ryan Clavette. Norwich once again responded quickly, with goals from Cody Moore and Zack Simmons coming less than two minutes after Riley's goal. Saint Joseph's would cut the deficit to 3-2 as freshman Jeff Comeau's (Watertown, Mass.) shot from the wing found the back of the net.
The Cadets extended the lead in the second as Simmons would net his second goal of the game at 12:17. The Monks fought back late in the second frame as senior captain Mario Lemieux (Biddeford, Maine) took a pass from Zach Graham (Marlborough,Mass.) to cut the lead to 4-3. Graham then tied the game for the Monks just 9 seconds later, sending the battle of unbeaten teams into the final frame tied at 4.
Norwich stormed to a 7-4 lead to start the third period, as Nelson picked up a hat trick with two more tallies and Zach Michael adding a goal of his own for the Cadets. The Monks refused to go away quietly, capitalizing on a power play chance, as Sean Costa's (Burlington, Mass.) blast from the point beat Clavette. Michael Cashmen responded for Norwich and extended the lead to 8-5 for Norwich. The Monks again fought back, with fresham Dylan Murphy (Charlestown, Mass.) picking up a rebound off a Jack Gordon (Hingam, Mass.) chance to cut the lead to 8-6. Gordon then added a goal of his own to make the deficit 8-7 with 5:53 remaining. That would be all the scoring as Norwich hung on for the win. Ryan Berard (Millville, Mass.) also tallied 3 assists for the Monks.
Jimmy Riley (Dedham, Mass.) stopped 29 of 37 shots for the Monks, who fall to 3-1 (3-1 NECHA) on the season. Ryan Clavette made 25 saves on 32 shots for Norwich, who improved to 5-0 (5-0 NECHA).
