Woody scores hat trick, Zuccaro pots game-winner for Panthers

            FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – Freshman Chris Zuccaro (Hudson, N.H.) scored his first career goal 1:53 into overtime Thursday evening as Plymouth State University edged Framingham State University, 5-4, in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at Loring Arena.

            The host Rams rallied from a 4-1 third-period deficit to force the extra session, but Zuccaro's unassisted tally gave PSU the victory. The Panthers improve to 4-2-1 on the year and 4-0-1 in the conference, while the Rams dip to 1-6-1 overall and 1-4-1 in the MASCAC.

            Plymouth State received a hat trick from junior Josh Woody (Sunderland, Md.) as he found the back of the net three times on the power play. He staked the Panthers a 1-0 lead in the first and closed the second and opened the third with his other two markers putting the Panthers on top 4-1.

            The Rams responded with three goals in the third to force overtime.  Freshman Tyler Colacchio (Bellingham, Mass.) tallied his first collegiate marker off assists from Jay Nicholls and Cameron Hoffman midway through the frame.  Classmate Peter Mingus (Gillette, WY) found the back of the net unassisted with just over five minutes remaining to cut the gap down to one.  Sophomore Vaughn Guetens (Cheshire, Conn.) knotted the game with a blast from the point of the power play with just under four left in regulation.

            The Rams had two good shots to open the overtime period, but sophomore Mac Haight (Sammamish, Wash.) turned both away.  Zuccaro would put the game away for the Panthers with an unassisted goal 1:53 into overtime.

            The Panthers outshot the Rams 42-26 in the game and converted on 4-of-8 power play opportunities.  Haight picked up the victory in net making 22 saves, while sophomore Alessio Muggli was tagged with the loss despite making 37 stops.

            The Rams are back in action next Wednesday evening at home when they entertain Assumption in a non-conference contest beginning at 7:40 p.m., while the Panthers travel to Westfield State University on Saturday for a conference tilt beginning at 5:35 p.m. 

(Courtesy of Framingham State Sports Information) 

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