The Ramapo ice hockey team took on Fairfield University’s Division I team last Saturday, where they fell to the Stags for the second time this season. The Roadrunners are now 5-5-2 this season, which places them third in the Empire Conference.
After 15 minutes of scoreless action, Fairfield opened the scoring with a goal from center Tyler Marchi, assisted by right winger Connor Momrow. Four minutes later, the pair of forwards did it again, this time Momrow scoring off an assist from Marchi.
In the second period, the Stags added their third goal of the game, despite being short-handed. After defenseman Chris Mangiacapre was called for a tripping penalty to begin the frame, center Robert Sharfstein was able to put one on net off an assist from Aidan Brazel.
Down 3-0, the Roadrunners finally got on the board just one minute after Sharfstein’s goal. Defenseman Michael Piccinich scored off assists from Thomas Moskal and Anthony Fizer. Despite the goal, Ramapo could not grab momentum, as the Stags would then score five consecutive goals to close the period.
The onslaught of goals began with center Aidan Blake scoring while shorthanded, off assists from Zach Lee and Marchi. One minute later, forward Brendan Cullen scored off an assist from Brendan Burke. Mangiacapre then scored one of his own off an assist from Lee. Defenseman Chase McKenna scored his second of the year off an assist from William Kidd. Finally, forward Ronan Curry scored his first of the season off an assist from Luca Mandato.
If there is any positive takeaway from this game for Ramapo, it’s that they were able to bounce back and win the third period. The final frame opened with Moskal scoring off an assist from forward Alex Cohen. Four minutes later, forward Luca Carnemolla scored off an assist from fellow forward Brady Vella. Fairfield closed the period with one final goal, as Lee put one in off an assist from Brazel.
Paul Fiorello stayed in net for the Roadrunners for all 60 minutes of action, allowing nine goals against 43 shot attempts from the Stags. In net for Fairfield, Daniel Schroeder saved 27 of 30 shot attempts from Ramapo.
Through the team’s first 12 games, Fizer leads the team in both points (22) and goals (16). Fizer’s 16 goals are the fourth most in all of Division II this season, and is incredibly impressive considering he’s played eight fewer games than the player with the most.
Team captain Rory Maurer is tied with Moskal for the team lead in assists with 12 each. Fiorello has started all 12 games for Ramapo thus far, allowing an average of 4.83 goals per game and recording 377 total saves.
After taking a break for the Thanksgiving weekend, the Roadrunners will get back on the ice this weekend for two games. First on Saturday, Dec. 2, Ramapo will travel to face Rutgers University at 7:30 p.m. Then on Sunday, Dec. 3, Ramapo will return home to the Ice Vault Arena where they’ll face the University of Delaware at 8 p.m.
wjackso2@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of Tessa Pofahl Photos
