UMass Dartmouth ice hockey looks to move up within the ECAC Northeast for 2003-04 season

(Dartmouth, MA) -- The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Corsairs will look to challenge in the ECAC Northeast for an unprecedented ninth championship with a veteran lineup including 11 forwards, five defensemen, and a pair of experienced goaltenders.

The Corsairs are coming off a successful 2002-03 season which saw UMass Dartmouth turn a midseason stretch of 12 games without a loss into a 15-7-3 overall record and the sixth seed in the ECAC Northeast Tournament with a 9-6-1 conference mark. The Corsairs’ post-season berth was their 19th consecutive appearance in Coach John Rolli’s career at UMass Dartmouth and 21st consecutive post season bid. Seeded sixth in the ECAC Northeast Tournament, the Corsairs were eliminated with a 9-1 loss at third-seeded Curry College to close out the season.

For the 2003-04 season, UMass Dartmouth will be led at the forward position by senior captain Chris Dussault (Billerica HS/Billerica, MA). In 75 games for the Corsairs Dussault has scored 33 goals to go along with 40 assists for 73 points.

“He is a hard-working drive-to-the net, grind-it-out forward which is the heart of what this team should be this season,” said Rolli, who is entering his 20th season with a record of 376-98-18.

Dussault will be joined on the Corsairs top line with classmates assistant captain Shawn Sheehan (Winchendon Academy/Medford, MA) and Scott Gallagher (Boston Harborwolves/Billerica, MA). Sheehan has played in 76 games notching 26 goals and 48 assists for 74 points including 11 power play goals while Gallagher has played in 72 games scoring 23 goals with 32 assists for 55 points.

Seniors Matt Beck (Boston Harborwolves/Waltham, MA), who led all Corsairs in goal scoring with 15 along with eight assists for 23 points last season will return this season. Juniors Brandon Koziara (5-6-11) (Springfield Cathedral/W. Springfield, MA) and Scott Trahan (6-15-21) (Lowell Jr. Lochmonsters/Chelmsford, MA), sophomores Mike McPherson (2-0-2)(Brewster Academy/Revere, MA), Derek Nocera (Brewster Academy/Waltham, MA), Ian Seaver (7-1-8) (Springfield Cathedral/Ludlow, MA), and Eric Frank (Traverse City Enforcers/Waltham, MA) round out the returning forwards.

Freshmen Brian Swensen (Toledo Icedogs/Chesterfield MI), Kyle McCullough (Boston Jr. Blackhawks/Danvers, MA), Adam Keeler (Bay State Breakers/Marshfield, MA), Peter Lindner (Christian Brothers Academy/Parlin, NJ), Jim Foley (Catholic Memorial/Brockton, MA), and Mike Aiello (Waltham HS/Waltham, MA) are expected to battle their way into the lineup.

“The forwards are clearly the strength of the team,” said Rolli, who will be assisted this season by Shaun Tavares and Ken Gouveia. “We have some very talented and skilled offensive players and pretty good balance particularly through our first three lines

Along the blue line the Corsairs return five veterans led by the imposing tandem of senior Matt Brown (0-7-7)(Framingham HS/Milford, MA) and junior Steve Davos (0-2-2) (Tewksbury HS/Tewksbury, MA). Two sophomores who played considerable minutes last season and once again will be clearing house in front of the UMD net are DJ Aucoin (1-7-8) (Waltham HS/Waltham, MA), and Mike Cavanaugh (0-3-3) (Boston Bulldogs/Hingham, MA). Sophomores Mike Larkin (Braintree HS/Braintree, MA) and Tom Duma (Catholic Memorial/Dorchester, MA) as well as Freshman Tyler Vrolyk (New England Jr. Coyotes/ Boylston, MA) round out the defense corps.

“We have exceptional size on defense and playing on a small ice surface such as Hetland Arena in New Bedford, this should be one of our strengths,” said Rolli.

In goal, senior Ryan Grant (Walpole Stars/Burlington, MA) and junior Kevin McGowan (Trinity-Pawling/Hingham, MA) will once again compete for the starting net minder position. Grant has played in 34 games with a saves percentage of .894, a goals against average of 3.33, and a 18-12-3 record. McGowan has played in 35 games with a saves percentage of.893, a goals against average of 2.52 and a 26-6-1 record. Junior netminder Marc Barron (Boston Harborwolves/Marshfield, MA) rounds out the Corsairs in goal.

“The battle for playing time between Grant and McGowan is a very healthy competitive situation which will only make our team better,” Rolli said.

The Corsairs will play in two early in season tournaments in addition to a formidable non-conference schedule including Amherst College, Trinity College, Cortland State, Tufts University, and Connecticut College. Southern Maine, and UMass Boston.

“We’re excited about our schedule this season,” Rolli added. “It is a difficult early stretch for us with nine of our first 13 games on the road, including the Paine Webber Tournament in Fitchburg and the Amherst College Invitational over the Thanksgiving Day weekend.”