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Freshman Jon Sokolski scored his first collegiate goal in the game
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MALDEN - Senior Matt Rhone (Dedham, MA) scored two goals and sophomore Nick Brunette (Chaska, MN) recorded three assists as the visiting Amherst College hockey team scored a 5-3 victory at Tufts in a NESCAC game at Valley Forum II on Saturday afternoon.
The Lord Jeffs, who have lost just once in their last 10 games, improved to 7-3-4 overall and 5-1-3 in the conference. They are currently second in NESCAC with 13 points. Tufts, which has lost five in a row, dropped to 4-7-1 overall and 3-6 in the league.
Amherst quickly jumped on top just 1:12 into the game as junior Mark Colp (Wareham, MA) scored a power play goal, with Brunette and Joe Brock (Cumming, GA) assisting. They extended the lead to 2-0 as Burnette assisted on sophomore Mike Moher's (Toronto, ONT) goal at 9:18 of the first. However, with just 17 seconds left in the period, the Jumbos scored a much-needed goal by sophomore defenseman Jared Barker (Ridgefield, CT) to make it a 2-1 game heading into the first intermission. Both goalies were busy in the first, as Jumbo junior Evin Koleini (Buffalo, NY) had 14 saves and Amherst sophomore Nathan Corey (Anchorage, AK) made 10.
Rhone's first goal of the game came short-handed at 4:50 of the second period to put Amherst up 3-1. Again the Jumbos were able to keep close, as senior Tom Derosa (Charlestown, MA) scored his seventh goal of the year on a power play with 1:44 left in the second to make it 3-2. Shots were 10-8 Jumbos in the middle stanza.
The Lord Jeffs were able to create some space for themselves by scoring the first two goals of the third period. Senior Luke Arnold (Lincoln, MA) tallied on the power play at 8:28, and then Rhone netted his second of the game and sixth of the season at 12:09 to give Amherst a 5-2 cushion. With just 24 seconds remaining, Tufts freshman Jon Sokolski (Burlington, MA) scored the first goal of his college career for the 5-3 final.
In addition to Rhone and Brunette, Amherst had a multi-point game from senoir co-captain Trip Wray (Walpole, MA) with two assists. Corey picked up his second win in net, finishing with 27 saves.
For Tufts, Derosa had a goal and an assist and Koleini made 31 saves.
The Jumbos get back at it on Tuesday when they travel to Suffolk for a non-conference game. Amherst hosts ECAC East foe Skidmore College next Friday night.
Game Box Score
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