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Junior Brian LaCrosse has been productive since returning to the Engineers lineup. In two games, he has scored three goals and added an assist.
  
 
Engineers Erase Early Deficit; Roll Over Flat Western Connecticut, 9-3

Colonials Manage Measly 16 Shots In Rout

Jan. 22, 2006

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The men's hockey team (5-2-4) walloped Western Connecticut State University (11-7-3) 9-3 on Saturday night in what was the Engineers most impressive performance of the season. The Colonials, ranked 11th in the Northeast Division ACHA Coaches Poll coming into the game, jumped out to a 2-0 lead midway through the first period but registered just 9 shots in the final two periods. Leading the way on offense for MIT was junior Brian LaCrosse (two goals, assist), junior Tim Studley (goal, two assists) and senior Adam Shabshelowitz (three assists).

The Colonials, owners of the top spot in the NECHA Northeast Division standings, got two early goals from Dan Corini and Al Mazur. But as the period progressed, WCSU began to look lackadaisical, and MIT took advantage. First Brian LaCrosse beat WCSU goalie Steve Grota, and then the freshman duo of Ryan Ballentine and Nick LaBounty hooked up for the equalizer.

MIT carried their late first period momentum into the second and rattled off three consecutive goals for a 5-2 lead. Junior defensemen Brad Holshuh and Nicholas Maietta had the first two tallies, and Ballentine notched his second of the night for MIT's fifth goal. Jason Frotino momentarily stopped the Engineers' assault, but WCSU could not build on the goal.

Tim Studley opened up the third frame with MIT's sixth goal. Studley capitalized on a feed from Shabshelowitz and LaCrosse. The assist was Shabshelowitz's third on the day. With a three goal cushion, the Engineers continued to attack the Colonials, who were a man down for much of the game. WCSU accumulated 14 of the game's 18 total penalties, including 27 penalty minutes in the second and third period. MIT added three more goals before the final buzzer. Freshman Nick LaBounty, senior Rich Lean and Brian LaCrosse picked up the goals.

In the losing effort, WCSU's Steve Grota made 37 saves. Thomas Hopkins stopped 14 of 16 shots for MIT.

The Engineers are now unbeaten in their last four contests and have won their last two. During the two game winning streak, MIT has outscored their opponents 15-4. In the last of a three-game homestand, MIT will look to continue its recent success against Daniel Webster College (5-5-0) on Tuesday, January 24. The puck is set to drop at 7:00 p.m.