Bertucci Sends Kean Past WestConn, 7-6

Danbury, Conn. (3/31/10) — Senior Anthony Bertucci scored the match's final two goals including the only goal in the fourth quarter, to help Kean defeat Western Connecticut State University, 7-6, Wednesday night at the Westside Athletic Complex.

For Kean (5-4), Bertucci and Scott Leathem each scored twice.  Nick Angrisani, Mike Terry and Tom Clifford each scored one goal.

Leathem (pictured right) got the Cougars on the board first with a goal in the game's third minute.  Angrisani pushed the Kean lead to two goals a minute later when he scored an unassisted goal.  Clifford's goal at the 8:59 mark of the first quarter gave Kean a 3-0 lead.  After WestConn called a timeout, the Colonials scored two goals to close out the first period and narrow the gap to 3-2.

In the second quarter, goaltending and defense dominated play for the first 12 minutes.  With three minutes remaining in the half, Leathem scored his second goal of the game for Kean, giving the Cougars a 4-2 lead.  Barbieri and Lanehart scored less than 10 seconds apart in the final minute of the half to knot the score at 4-4 at intermission.

Kean regained the lead early in the second on Terry's unassisted goal, but Lanehart answered with two goals to give the Colonials their first lead of the game, 6-5.  Bertucci found the net with only 28 seconds remaining in the third quarter to make the score 6-6.

Once again, goaltending and defense took control deep into the fourth quarter, and again it was Kean who broke the scoring draught when Bertucci (pictured left) scored his second unassisted goal with 3:17 remaining on the clock.  WestConn had several scoring opportunities down the stretch, but shots by Barbieri and Tom Begley were saved by goalkeeper John Gesumaria and the Cougars were able to control the ball for the game's final minute and secure a 7-6 victory.

For the game, KU held a 40-32 advantage in shots, 21-15 in shots on goal.  Gesumaria finished with nine saves in the win.