Fitchburg State Shoots Past Assumption, 4-1

Riggs nets two scores in Falcons eighth victory of the season

FITCHBURG, Mass. (February 5, 2009) - The Fitchburg State ice hockey team registered four unanswered goals over three periods to record its eighth victory of the season as the Falcons topped Assumption College, 4-1 in ECAC Northeast action this evening.

Sophomore Chris Riggs (Sewell, N.J./Fort Vancouver Pioneers led the Falcon attack with two goals in the contest, while senior Bob Kaloustian (Marlborough, Mass./Suffolk) added one goal and one assist. Senior Matt Arsnenault (Gardner, Mass./Gardner) paced the Fitchburg State offense with two helpers. Freshman Joe Frasso (Winthrop, Mass./Winthrop) scored the lone goal for Assumption.

Assumption opened the scoring midway through the first period as Frasso connected for his second goal of the season off assists from sophomore Peter Bouchie (Belmont, Mass./Belmont) and freshman Mike Looney (Shrewsbury, Mass./Saint John's). Fitchburg State fired back moments later as Riggs redirected classmate Erik Trahan's (Manville, R.I./Winchendon School) shot for his first goal of the game.

In the second period, Fitchburg State opened its lead to 3-1 as Kaloustian and Riggs found the back of the net. Kaloustian ignited the Falcons scoring just 0:25 into the period, tallying his sixth goal of the season, while Riggs went top-shelf for his second score midway through the frame.

Fitchburg State sealed the victory in third period, out-shooting Assumption 16-5. Junior Curtis Fleming (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) added to the Falcons lead as he connected for his first collegiate score at the 5:49 mark. Newcomer Joe Rich (North Andover, Mass./North Andover) and sophomore Billy Pescosolido (Framingham, Mass./Walpole Express) assisted on the play.

Fitchburg State out-shot Assumption 37-27 in the contest, while tallying six power-play attempts. Sophomore Robert Vorse (Leominster, Mass./Bay State Breakers) registered 26 saves in net, while freshman Steve Di Domenico (Lowell, Mass./Tilton School) stopped 33 shots for the Ice Dogs.

Fitchburg State (8-7-5, 5-4-3 ECAC NE) will hit the ice again on Saturday as it travels to Suffolk University at 7:15 p.m. Assumption (4-12-4, 2-9-3 ECAC NE) will be in action again on Saturday as it hosts Stonehill College at 7:30 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 4, Assumption 1

Scoring:
1^st Period: ASM: Joe Frasso (Peter Bouchie, Mike Looney), 8:47; FIT: Chris Riggs (Erik Trahan, Bob Kaloustian), 12:26
2^nd Period: FIT: Kaloustian (Matt Arsenault), 0:25; FIT: Riggs (Andrew Hutton, Arsenault), 10:32
3^rd Period: FIT: Curtis Fleming (Joe Rich, Billy Pescosolido), 5:49
Goaltending: FIT: Robert Vorse (60:00), 26 saves; ASM: Steve Di Domenico (60:00), 33 saves
Shots on Goal: FIT 37: ASM: 27