Bullets Split Opening Weekend

Gettysburg handles improved Mount team, but outworked by TCNJ

Gettysburg got off to a good start for the 2009-10 season, but ran out of steam late Saturday night, splitting their opening weekend with a 4-2 win over MDCHA oppponent Mount St. Mary's, but falling 7-6 against Division II TCNJ.

After easily dispatching Mount St. Mary's by a 10-0 total the year before, the Bullets were surprised by the improvement that was evident from the Mount in 2009. Despite this, Gettysburg jumped out to an early lead and survived two late 3rd period goals in a penalty-riddled game on Friday night at York. Freshman Chris Fulenwider got the first Bullet goal of the season only nine seconds in, connecting on a feed from fellow freshman Kevin Cantele and senior captain Mark Bouchard. Later in the period, senior Jake Asplundh buried a wraparound past Mount goaltender Craig Ross, with assists from freshman Chris "Red" Murray and rookie junior Colin Gilmore. The Bullets cruised along into the 2nd period, where scrappy freshman Alex Carmel buried a shorthanded goal on the doorstep after a nice feed from sophomore Will Worthy. That goal would prove the game winner, although senior assistant captain Ryan Flanagan would blast in an insurance goal on the powerplay in the 3rd with assists from sophomore Graham Harkins and senior Dave Matthews. Sophomore goaltender Pete Dawson looked sharp, turning aside 23 of 25 shots to earn the first win of the season.

Perhaps the 22 penalties from the night before had worn the Bullets down, because they would have significantly more trouble from Division II and new opponent The College of New Jersey. Gettysburg would open the scoring again on Saturday, as Mark Bouchard banged home a gritty goal with help from junior Matt Ajayi and Graham Harkins. TCNJ would even the score later in the 1st period, but Ryan Flanagan would score a beautiful goal all on his own to retake the lead. Unfortunately for the Bullets, this would prove to be their last lead of the night. TCNJ's LaRosa would net a hat-trick on his way to 5 goals on the night, and McClintic added his second to build on their escalating lead. A lucky goal on the powerplay from Harkins would cut the lead down, and the line of Bouchard, Fulenwider, and senior Dan Willman single-handedly brought Gettysburg back and evened the score at 6 all. But penalties would be the Bullets undoing, as TCNJ's LaRosa cashed in with his 5th tally on a late powerplay that put Gettysburg away for good.

Despite the high-scoring loss against a tough opponent on Saturday, the young Bullets team is starting to develop some chemistry that will hopefully translate into an improved showing next weekend as Gettysburg heads west to the Penn State Altoona Showcase tournament.

ACHA Game Report - Gettysburg 4, Mount St. Mary's 2
ACHA Game Report - Gettysburg 6, TCNJ 7