Vecchione becomes Union’s all-time Division I leading scorer in loss to Cornell
SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Union College men’s hockey senior captain Mike Vecchione became the all-time leading scorer in the team’s Division I era, as the fifth-ranked Dutchmen fell to No. 16 Cornell, 5-3, Friday night at Messa Rink. Union goes to 18-7-2 overall and 11-3-1 in ECAC Hockey, while the Big Red moves to 13-6-2 overall and 8-4-2 in league play.
Vecchione scored his Division I-leading fourth shorthanded goal in the first period for his 158th career point in his 138th career game to surpass Daniel Carr ’14, who compiled 157 career points (78G-79A) in 160 career games. He added a power-play goal in the second period for 46th point of the season (21G-25A) and his 15th-multi-point game, both of which lead the nation.
Ryan Walker scored his second goal in as many games for the Dutchmen, while Spencer Foo, Jeff Taylor, Nick DeSimone and Ryan Scarfo each contributed an assist. In goal, Jake Kupsky made his first appearance since November 1, tying a career high with 30 saves.
Cornell jumped out to a 1-0 lead 10 minutes into the first when Alex Rauter scored on a breakaway, but Vecchione responded for Union 1:42 later on a shorthanded odd-man rush, firing a wristshot past Big Red goaltender Mitch Gillam (27 saves) from the bottom of the left circle.
Anthony Angello restored the Big Red’s lead at 12:57, beating Kupsky high on the blocker side from the left circle, and Dwyer Tschantz made it 3-1 at 16:04, scoring from in tight.
Vecchione cut the Dutchmen’s deficit in half with a power-play goal at 16:33 of the second, unloading a one-timer for his 21st goal of the season. Union knotted the game at 3-3 with another power-play goal at 9:19 of the third when Walker slotted home a rebound from a tight angle.
The Big Red rebounded late in the game, taking advantage of a power play to pull in front 4-3 at 15:51 of the third on Jake Weidner’s fourth of the season. Angello potted his second of the game 39 seconds later, scoring on a breakaway to give Cornell secure the 5-3 win.
The Big Red outshot the Dutchmen 35-30, including a 20-7 edge in the first period. Union finished 2-for-7 on the power play, while Cornell went 2-for-5 with the man advantage.
The Dutchmen return to action tomorrow night, hosting Colgate at 7:30 p.m.
