Gulls edge out Westfield State Owls

Nov. 17, 2006

Endicott traveled to Westfield on Friday night to face the tough Westfield State Owls. The Gulls over recent weeks have experienced several injuries which has altered their lineup. Impact players such as junior forward Bryan Caccamo, d-man Mike Ripley, Brad Butcher, and grad student Adam Partaledis have all been watching recent play from the stands. However whatever the line-up, the Gulls came to fight and would not let a few injuries change their desire to win.

The start of the game was an evenly fought game that included back and forth shots on goal by both teams, along with hard hitting and a fair share of penalties. At the end of the first, the score was still knotted up at 0-0. The second period of this game brought very much the same as the first period; hard work by both teams along with plentiful opportunities for the Gulls, who failed to capitalize, as the second period ended with the same score of 0-0.

As the third period began, both teams were striving for chances to score and working hard to wear out their opponent. It was clear in the start of the third that the Gulls had finally worn out the big Westfield defensemen, as the Gulls put on a relentless attack in the offensive zone. The hard work in the offensive zone resulted in a goal by junior forward Chris Garofalo, that put Endicott up 1-0 early. Following the first goal of the game, Westfield came right back to answer with a goal of their own to tie things up. The remainder of the game would keep you on the edge of your seat, as both team had their equal amount of chances to win the game, Endicott goaltender Josh Provost had repeatedly shut the door on Westfield State, making several out-of-this-world saves that kept the score even for the Gulls. Finally, with less than two minutes to go in the game, the Gulls were able to pop in a goal to take the lead, and eventually the win. The entire game was very hard fought and a key win for the Gulls as they dropped two last weekend. Tomorrow the Gulls will travel a bit more northeast to visit Marist, in a rematch in which Endicott won.