Knights Defeat Rams 5-3

The University of Central Florida Knights (12-7-1) scored three power play goals in a 5-3 victory over the Farmingdale State College Rams (16-7-1). UCF went three for eight on the power play as FSC was assessed a grand total of ten minor penalties in Saturday night’s loss. The Rams jumped out to an early 1-0 lead despite being outshot 17-8 in the 1st period. An icing, followed by a defensive zone turnover by the Rams in the 2nd period, allowed the Knights to tie things up. UCF proceeded to score two power play goals in the 2nd period before tacking on another in the 3rd period to take a commanding 4-1 lead. The Rams scored twice in a valiant comeback attempt, but the Knights scored an empty netter to seal the deal with six seconds left in regulation. The Rams were a perfect three for three on the penalty kill in the first twenty minutes, but allowed three power play goals against on the Knights next five opportunities. 

Justin DeSaro was stellar in his first start of the new year for the Farmingdale State College Rams, but it was Jackson Barton who would pick up his second win in as many nights for the University of Central Florida Knights. Barton previously made thirteen saves as UCF defeated the Hofstra Pride 6-1 on Friday night. That game was delayed one hour due to an accident involving the UCF team bus. LISN was informed that all coaches, players and personnel were ok after the accident.

Justin DeSaro stole the show with seventeen saves in the 1st period as the Rams killed off three power plays including an extended 5 on 3 advantage for the Knights. Peter Abazis redirected a pass from Nick D’Allessandro past UCF netminder with 11:39 remaining in the first frame. 

Anthony Sciortino scored the lone 5 v 5 goal for the Knights with 16:14 remaining in the second stanza. Joey Dray scored the first of three consecutive power play goals for UCF on a shot from the point with 14:38 remaining. Rob Renner went coast-to-coast to score his first career goal as a Knight on the power play with 8:38 remaining in the frame. It was Renner’s first career goal for UCF in his second game with the program. The former NCAA Division III defenseman played twelve games during the 2022-2023 season for King’s College in the United Collegiate Hockey Conference.

Joey Dray potted his second power play goal of the game on a shot that was redirected through traffic in front with 10:13 remaining in the period. The Captain, Brendan Dixson, sniped stick side with 8:04 left in the period to make it a two score game. Collin Cross put the Rams within one on a shot from the left wing dot with 6:39 remaining in the period. Matt Weinstock sealed the deal for the Knights with an empty netter with six seconds left in the game. 

Scoring Summary:

The Farmingdale State College Rams will look to pick up their first win of 2024 against Rutgers on Friday January 26th at 9:30 PM. In their first meeting of the season FSC defeated Rutgers 9-1.