Josh Labonte ’21 scored the first goal of his Hamilton career in men’s hockey 5-3 setback against Wesleyan University on Sunday afternoon at Russell Sage Rink.
Wesleyan (3-2-1, 0-2-1 NESCAC) recorded the first three goals of the game, scoring at the 14:47 and 15:56 marks in the first period and again 58 seconds into the second period. The Cardinals scored their fourth goal at 8:02 in the second and added an empty net goal at the 16:49 mark of the third period.
Nick Ursitti ’20 matched a career-high three points with one goal and two assists. Ursitti scored the first goal for Hamilton with 1:01 left in the second period to cut into Wesleyan’s 3-1 lead at the second intermission. Labonte delivered a slap shot from the point and Ursitti backhanded the rebound that went wide left of the net. Sean Allen ’21 collected the loose puck in the corner and passed back to Ursitti in the slot for a one-timer past the Wesleyan goaltender.
Allen fired a wrist shot from the left point that bounced off Ursitti but Brandon Willett ’18 was able to direct the puck into the back of the net 10:26 into the third period. Allen finished the game with the first two collegiate assists of his career.
Hamilton added the final goal of the game with 1:12 remaining. Labonte started the attack after denying the Wesleyan breakout on the boards. Ursitti gathered the puck and passed to T.J. Daigler ’18 at the left faceoff circle. Daigler drew in the Cardinal defender before passing to Labonte at the far post for a redirect into the goal.
Evan Buitenhuis ’18 denied 27 shots for Hamilton while Tim Sestak made 45 saves for Wesleyan.
The Continentals host Middlebury College on Friday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. and Williams College on Saturday at 5 p.m. in NESCAC action at Russell Sage Rink.
