West Coast/South East Showdown in Feasterville

Feasterville, PA - The University of Florida and Long Beach State took the rink this evening  looking to improve their respective positions in Pool D. Long Beach State won their first game of the day, a 6-3 decision over Penn State (0-2), while Florida dropped an action packed 5-4 game against pool leading Rhode Island (2-0).

 

Florida got things started on the power play just over two minutes into the contest when Ryan Hagaman (Bradenton, FL) found the back of the net for the early 1-0 lead.  Jesse Meyer (Bradenton, FL) and Zachary Summers (Boca Raton, FL) claimed the helpers for the Gators. Early penalties continued to haunt the 49ers when Hagaman found the back of the net for the second time. Once again Jesse Meyer got the primary assist while brother Steven claimed the secondary. Florida extended the lead to three with another PPG with just under two to play in the period. Zachary Summers pick up the garbage in front after a Steven Willoughby (Gainesville, FL) shot to get the tally. With time about to expire in the first period, Hagaman finished off his hat trick, scoring his third PPG of the period to give the Gators a commanding 4-0 after one.

 

With the start of the second period, the tides finally turned for Long Beach State as they used their team speed to draw a holding call against Florida and it didn't take long for them to capitalize. Long Beach scored just 11 second in the man advantage to cut the deficit to three goals. Christian Bernad (Temecula, CA) put the puck in the net, but not without help from Ryan Burrows (Yorba Linda, CA) and Paul Anderson (Long Beach, CA). 

 

Half way through the second period, Morgan Hayes (Gainesville, FL) made a nice play shorthanded to strip the defenseman and break in all alone before picking a corner and putting the Gators up 5-1. Ryan Burrows got the goal back in the closing moments of the second period, releasing a wicked wrister from the right circle and beating the goalie to the far post. 

 

Oscar Huezo of Long Beach State, chipped into the lead with the 49ers down a man, releasing a dirty snipe that found metal and net to cut the lead down to two goals with plenty of time left in the game.