SHELTON, Conn. – A hat trick by sophomore Tyler Hackett (Branford, Conn.) helped lead the Post University men's ice hockey team to its first victory of the season 8-2 over Franklin Pierce on Friday night at the SportsCenter of Connecticut. The victory was the Eagles first NCAA win in program history.
 
"We played the strongest game of the season against a very good opponent. We bent a bit in the second but did not break. I thought we regrouped and played a very good third," said head coach Pete Whitney.
 
Post controlled play throughout the first period and freshman Evan Lugo (Sandy Hook, Conn.) put the Eagles in front as he stuffed home a goal with 8:58 to go in the first. Lugo finished with two goals and an assist and has now recorded a point in four consecutive games. Hackett blasted home a shot from the left circle with 38 seconds left in the period as Post took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission.
 
Franklin Pierce came out firing the second and outshot the Eagles 22-10 in the frame. Two goals by James Morrissey cut the Ravens' deficit to just one. Later in the period they had the tying score waved off.
 
Any momentum the Ravens had swung back in favor of Post as Hackett scored his second the night with just 17 ticks remaining in the second giving the Eagles a 4-2 advantage.
 
The Eagles left no doubt in the third with quick goals from freshman Anthony Giacomin (Drexel Hill, Pa.) and sophomore captain Lucas Smith (Calgary, Alberta) made the score 6-2 just less than two minutes into the period.
 
Junior Brian Hurley (Long Beach, N.Y.) add his third score of the year with 4:49 to go. Hackett completed the hat trick late in the period.
 
Freshman Nolan Arbuckle (Wilmington, Mass.) recorded four assists on the night. Hurley also added three helpers while Smith had two assists. Freshman Brandon Brown (Manassas, Va.) stopped 43 shots to earn his first collegiate win in goal.
 
Post looks to keep rolling tomorrow as the Eagles and Ravens square off again in Shelton. Puck drops at 7:15 p.m.