Fairfield, Conn. - Since joining the Metropolitian Collegiate Hockey Conference in 2020-2021, Sacred Heart University has been a thorn in the side of the St. Thomas Aquinas College Ice Hockey Team. The Pioneers have taken eleven of twelve matchups from the Spartans, including three postseason meetings and the last two MCHC title games.
However, it was a much different story on Sunday as the maroon and gold earned a 7-5 victory over their bitter rivals from Connecticut, in the season's first matchup between the teams at the Martire Family Arena.
STAC improves to 5-1-2 overall and remains perfect in MCHC play at 3-0.
James Guild, Andrew Fenninger and Jason Desalvo each tallied a pair of goals, while Nicholas Delia also scored a goal apiece for the Spartans. Goaltender Michael Pippo (W, 4-1-0) was solid between the pipes for STAC, turning away 42 of 47 shots.
First Period Scoring Summary
Sacred Heart University -Brady Marszalek (Jack Reid, Collin Roulston) 1:36/PP, Jack Reid (Oliver Harag, Brady Marszalek) 4:16.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - James Guild (Unassisted) 6:35, Andrew Fenninger (Jason Desalvo, Nicholas Delia) 16:09/PP, Nicholas Delia (Unassisted) 18:21.
First Period Penalty Summary
Sacred Heart University - Ryan Martin (Interference/2:00 Minor) 9:48, Ryan Martin (Illegal Equipment/2:00 Minor) 13:58, Bench Minor (Too Many Men/2:00 Minor) 16:04 - Served by Ryan Martin.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - Bench Minor (Too Many Men/2:00 Minor) 1:14 - Served by Jeremy Poggi, Jack Dickerson (Tripping/2:00 Minor) 7:46, Devin Niccoll (Head Contact/2:00 Minor) 13:20, Gage Parnell (Hooking/2:00 Minor) 18:50, John Brennan (Cross-Checking/2:00 Minor) 20:00.
Second Period Scoring Summary
Sacred Heart University - Brady Marszalek (Giovanni Guerriero) 9:41/PP, Conall Gately (Matteo Wilde) 10:41.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - James Guild (Jeremy Poggi) 4:23, Jason Desalvo (Jack Dickerson) 8:15/PP.
Second Period Penalty Summary
Sacred Heart University - Ryan Davis (Roughing/2:00 Minor) 4:47, Collin Roulston (Cross-Checking/2:00 Minor) 8:08, Sean Feeney (Slashing/2:00 Minor) 12:04.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - John Brennan (Elbowing/2:00 Minor) 2:10, Jeremy Poggi (Roughing/2:00 Minor) 4:47, Gage Parnell (Cross-Checking/2:00 Minor) 8:36.
Third Period Scoring Summary
Sacred Heart University - Brady Marszalek (Ryan Conroy) 16:43.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - Andrew Fenninger (Jason Desalvo, Nicholas Delia) 7:46/PP, Jason Desalvo (Unassisted) 19:06/EN.
Third Period Penalty Summary
Sacred Heart University - Jeremiah Ryan (Roughing/2:00 Minor) 6:48, Jake Abrami (Roughing/2:00 Minor) 6:48, Matteo Wilde (Roughing/2:00 Minor) 11:10.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - John Brennan (Roughing/2:00 Minor) 6:48.
Goalies
Sacred Heart University - Jonathan Vitti (Loss, 59:00), 30 Saves & Empty Net (1:00), 0 Saves.
St. Thomas Aquinas College - Michael Pippo (Win, 60:00), 42 Saves.
Shots on Goal
Sacred Heart University - 47
St. Thomas Aquinas College - 37
Up Next
STAC welcomes SUNY Maritime College to Sport-O-Rama Ice Rinks on Friday, October 24. Puck drop between the Spartans and Privateers is set for 8:30 p.m.