Baker OT Winner Seals The Deal Against Lancers

AUBURN, MA - In a thrilling back-and-forth battle, Anna Maria College secured a 5-4 overtime victory against the Worcester State University Lancers on Tuesday, February 18th. The AMCATS overcame an early deficit and used a strong second-period surge to take control before clinching the win in extra time with a clutch goal from Pearce Baker.

The opening period saw Worcester State take the early lead, capitalizing on their offensive pressure. Anders Grongstad found the back of the net at 10:38 off an assist from Brigham Neuhold, giving the Lancers a 1-0 advantage. Despite multiple attempts from the AMCATS, Worcester State extended their lead in the final seconds of the first period with a shorthanded goal by Matthew Nuzzolilo at 19:43, assisted by Stirling Nash.

Trailing 2-0, Anna Maria came out firing in the second period and quickly turned the tide. Just 28 seconds in, Guillaume Coulombe buried a power-play goal assisted by Matthew Byrne and Derek Raposo to cut the deficit in half. The AMCATS kept up the intensity and were rewarded again at 3:48, as Coulombe struck once more, this time assisted by Brandon Della Paolera, tying the game at 2-2. The momentum stayed with Anna Maria, and at 16:29, Della Paolera gave the AMCATS their first lead of the night, scoring on the power play with assists from Pearce Baker and Derek Raposo.

The third period continued the intense action, as Worcester State responded early. Just over three minutes in, Shane Prifrel netted an unassisted goal, leveling the game at 3-3. However, the AMCATS quickly answered back, with Spencer Carpenter scoring an unassisted goal at 3:57 to restore the lead at 4-3. The Lancers refused to go away, tying the game once again at 5:58 when Nuzzolilo scored his second goal of the night on the power play.

With regulation unable to separate the teams, the game headed into overtime. Both squads had opportunities early in the extra frame, but it was Anna Maria who found the decisive moment. At 3:41 of OT, Pearce Baker delivered the game-winning goal off a two on one pass from Derek Raposo, sealing the dramatic 5-4 victory for the AMCATS.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The win over the Lancers pushed the AMCATS into the #1 seed in the conference standings.
• Brandon Della Paolera has put up 10 points in his last four games played.
• The AMCATS have won 10 consecutive games, improving to a program high of 18-5.
• The AMCATS have five players with a point per game or higher so far this season. 
  • Matt Gilbert: 23 GP, 29 P
  • Derek Raposo: 23 GP, 28 P
  • Brandon Della Paolera: 22 GP, 26 P
  • Guillaume Coulombe: 21 GP, 21 P
  • Braeden McKinnon: 20 GP, 20 P

COMING UP:

The AMCATS will be back in action on Thursday, February 20th where they will host the Salem State University Vikings for a MASCAC conference matchup. Opening puck drop is set for 5:40pm at the Horgan Arena in Auburn, MA.

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