17th-ranked Gulls edge Tufts, 10-7
April 8, 2008
BEVERLY, Mass. - Endicott College's Andrew Harding (Niskayuna, N.Y.) scored back-to-back fourth quarter goals in a 3:45 span to turn a one-goal lead into a three-goal cushion, propelling No. 17 Endicott to a, 10-7, win over visiting Tufts University on Tuesday night in Beverly, Massachusetts. The win improves Endicott's record to 8-2 overall, while the Jumbos fall to 6-4.
It didn't take long for the Blue and Green to break the ice on the frigid turf, as TCCC Offensive Player of the Week Nick Cosco (Londonderry, N.H.) placed a crank-shot from 15 yards out right under the crossbar, giving Endicott the 1-0 lead just 2:24 into the first quarter. Cosco would strike again just under three minutes later, as he took a man-up feed from Brandon Dube (Danvers, Mass.) and beat Matt Harrigan (Darnestown, Md.) on the short side for the two goal lead.
The hosts made it a 3-0 game just forty-five seconds later as Eddie O'Reilly (Beverly, Mass.) found the back of the net on a strong individual effort. The Jumbos responded with a resilient close to the first quarter, as Kevin Williams (Merrick, N.Y.), D.J. Hessler (Monkton, Md.), and Clem McNally (Farhills, N.Y.) combined to score three-straight, making it a 3-3 game after one.
The Endicott defense made a stand in the second quarter, as the Blue and Green locked-down their end of the field to hold Tufts scoreless. Goaltender Eric Hagarty (Sudbury, Mass.) made four saves in the second frame, keeping the Jumbos off the scoreboard. Endicott regained its lead with 9:14 left in the quarter, as John Curtis (Chelmsford, Mass.) buried a shot past Harrigan, putting EC ahead 4-3. Endicott would enter the half with a two goal lead, as Cosco scored his third of the night from Dan Cain (Billerica, Mass.).
Each squad scored two goals apiece in the third quarter. Tufts' Connor Ginsberg (New Haven, Conn.) picked-up a loose ball on the crease for a quick garbage goal to pull the visitors back within one. Jordan Yarboro (Herndon, Va.) tied the game at 5-all as he leveraged his long-stick to place a seed in the back of the Endicott net. Back-to-back goals from Nick Cosco, including a man-up tally, gave the Gulls a 7-5 lead entering the fourth. Cosco's second of the back-to-back was one of the wildest goals in recent memory, as he took a shot from 20 yards out that deflected off a Tufts' defender, ricocheted high in the air, bounced strangely off the turf and rolled into the Jumbos' net.
Eric Hagarty and the Endicott defense packed it close to the goal mouth to start the fourth, as Tufts controlled an early possession. After four-straight Hagarty saves, Clem McNally finally broke through for his second of the night, making it a one goal game, 7-6.
As they did all night, the Gulls responded to the challenge. Andrew Harding returned the two-goal lead as he beat Harrigan with a hard bounce shot at the junior's feet to score Endicott's eighth of the night. Desperate for possession, Tufts coach Mike Daly opted to use his goalkeeper to shutoff the adjacent Endicott short stick, allowing the Jumbos to double-team the ball carrier. The plan backfired as Harding beat his defender at the back X, wrapping around an empty-net goal for the 9-6 lead.
Tufts won the ensuing face-off, but the Gulls got the ball back after a Matt Caple (Wellesley, Mass.) shot was blocked and Lucien Bolduc (South Windsor, Mass.) scooped-up the loose ball and returned it to his offensive teammates. Sticking to their plan, the Jumbos once again shutoff with the `keeper, and Eddie O'Reilly was able to use his speed behind the net to waltz out in front for the empty-netter.
Clem McNally got his third of the game with 1:15 remaining, but it wouldn't be enough as Endicott earned the hard-fought, 10-7, victory.
The Blue and Green were paced by Nick Cosco's five goals. Eddie O'Reilly had two goals and an assist, while Andrew Harding found the back of the net twice in the win. Brandon Dube dished out two assists for the hosts. Endicott goalie Eric Hagarty made 22 saves in the victory. The win marks the program's first-ever over Tufts.
Tufts was led by McNally's three goals on 10 shots. Ginsberg, Hessler, Williams and Yarboro each had a goal in the loss. Face-off man Mike Droesch (Setauket, N.Y.) went 15-of-21 from the midfield X, scooping up a game-high eight ground balls. Harrigan ended the night with 11 saves.
Endicott returns to action on Saturday as it travels north to the University of New England for a TCCC match-up with the Nor'easters. Tufts steps back into conference play as well, as the Jumbos will host Bowdoin College in a crucial NESCAC contest. Both games are scheduled for 1:00 p.m.