UNH has arrived at their final two games of the season, but they have run into a little speed bump. This past Saturday UNH traveled to Hartford (1-8-5, 1-3-1 in conference) for their second consecutive road game and left with a 1-1 tie. This brings the ‘Cats record to 8-3-2 overall and 2-2-1 in the America East conference.
This game drops them to fifth in the America East standings with only two games remaining in the season.
This game was very similar to UNH’s last matchup against Stony Brook. UNH once again heavily outshot their opponent 19-5 overall and 6-1 for shots on net. In the end, the Wildcats are not capitalizing on their opportunities and it is costing them greatly. Stony Brook is the better team, but to end this two game road trip and leave Hartford with a tie does not match how this team has played all year.
The only goal scored from the Wildcats came off the foot of junior backer Antonio Colacci for his fourth of the season. After getting off to a hot start this season, Colacci severely cooled off as this was just his first goal in eight games. This goal however extended his point total to 10 which leads the team.
Junior forward Donnett Sackie, another goal scorer for the Wildcats, took three shots and got two of them on goal. Neither shot found the back of the net. Come time for the America East Tournament, UNH is going to have to find a way to make their shots count.
The next two games for the Wildcats should have a big-game atmosphere as they face off against two of the top team in the conference.
UNH will be squaring up with UMass Lowell and Vermont who have both had good seasons thus far. UMass Lowell boasts a record of 8-4-2 while Vermont sits at 10-6. Both are 3-2 in conference play.
Stanley Alves, the redshirt junior for UMass Lowell is who the Wildcats will have to focus on stopping to give them a better chance of winning. He is their team leader in points with 12 and has scored five of the River Hawk’s eighteen goals.
The good news for UNH is that this game will be played at Wildcat Stadium where the ‘Cats are undefeated with a 7-0 record this year.
UNH then travels up to Vermont to play their last game of the season. It is critical that the ‘Cats get these wins to better their seeding in the America East Tournament.
The Wildcats return home Friday Oct. 26 to play UMass Lowell at 7:00 p.m. This game will be their senior night.