Norwell

Stonehill Scores Second-Straight Win at Suffolk, 6-1

Stonehill College netted a four goal first period for the second straight night and fired its way to a 6-1 triumph over Suffolk University in non-conference ice hockey action at Steriti Rink tonight. Sophomore Stephen Balsamo (Atkinson, N.H./Brewster Academy) netted a hat trick, scoring a pair of goals in Stonehill’s four goal first period flurry, to lead Stonehill to its second win in as many nights. Senior captain Dana Borges (Taunton, Mass./Williston Northampton), sophomore Brendan Greene (Weymouth, Mass.) and freshman Robbie Dorgan (Ossining, N.Y.) each dished two assists for the Skyhawks. Junior Bryan Rooney (Canton, Mass./New Hampton School) and freshmen Thomas Jenkins (Canton, Mass./Williston Northampton) and Dan Graham (Billerica, Mass./Williston Northampton) each chipped in with a goal apiece. Sophomore Chris Tasiopoulos (Norwell, Mass./Thayer Academy) posted 23 saves in goal for Stonehill, including ten in the first period as the Skyhawks staked out their lead. Stonehill finished with a 46-24 advantage for shots on the night, including 33-14 over the final two periods. Junior Jeff Allsopp (Hamilton, Mass.) posted 31 saves over the final 40:42 in relief of freshman Brandon Smolarek (Chesterfield, Mo.) who stopped nine shots, while yielding four goals, in the opening 19:18. Stonehill, who scored four first period goals in Tuesday night’s 6-4 win over Framingham State, opened the scoring with three goals in the span of 2:03, including a pair of goals just seven seconds apart. Jenkins started the run with his first collegiate goal at 14:17, assisted by freshmen Nate Soter (Danvers, Mass./Pingree School) and Thomas DePoalo (Mendham, N.J./Morristown Beard School). Graham doubled the Skyhawks lead less than two minutes later with his third of the season, from Dorgan and junior Andrew Miller (Oxford, Conn./Kent School) at 16:13. Balsamo struck just seven seconds after that with his first of the night at 16:20, assisted by Dorgan and freshman Grant Reichel (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Lawrence Academy). Balsamo wrapped up the first period scoring with 42-seconds left in the period, with an assist by Greene. Rooney netted the lone second period goal, assisted by Tuesday night heroes Borges and sophomore Kevin Aufiero (Canton, Mass.), just 25-seconds into the period. Balsamo put Stonehill up six goals and wrapped up his hat trick (4th goal of the season) with a shorthanded tally 1:26 into the third period, assisted by Greene and Borges. Suffolk broke up Tasiopoulos’ shutout bid 37-seconds later with sophomore Tim Sprague’s (Plymouth, Mass.) eighth goal of the season, set up by classmate Jon Stauffer (Lansdale, Pa.) and freshman Steve Colomey (Norwood, Mass.) at 2:03, wrapping up the game scoring. Stonehill (6-8-0, 2-1-0 NE-10) returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Saint Michael’s College for a key Northeast-10 Conference clash at the Foxboro Sports Center at 4:10 p.m. The Purple & White game will feature a #skyhawknation fan bus and caravan that will meet in lot 9 behind the Old Student Union, departing for the rink at 3:30 p.m. There will be giveaways for the first 50 Stonehill students in attendance at the Sports Center. Suffolk (4-5-2, 2-2-1 ECAC-NE) is off until after the New Year when it hosts the University of New England on Saturday, January 5, at 4:25 p.m. For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter and Facebook. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks mobile app on iTunes and the Android Market.*Stonehill Athletics