Freshman Neil Stevenson-Moore scored his first two collegiate goals, including the third-period game-winner, as Princeton defeated Vermont 5-4 Saturday night at Hobey Baker Rink.
The Tigers entered the third period with a 3-1 lead, but Vermont’s Bryson Busniuk scored a pair of goals 10 seconds apart to tie the game at the 5:10 mark. Less than four minutes later senior Trevor Beaney, who was moved from defense to right wing, scored the first goal of his career to give Princeton a 4-3 lead.
The Catamounts even the score at 11:24 on a goal by Patrick Sharp, but Stevenson-Moore scored the game-winner less than two minutes later when he beat Vermont goalie Shawn Conschafter. A crazy third period included five goals in slightly more than seven minutes.
“It was a little wild down the stretch,” Princeton coach Len Quesnelle said. “Vermont stepped up its play in the third period, but I thought we demonstrated our character after giving up those two quick goals. Emotionally, it was a good sign that we responded as we did.”
Ryan Cox gave Vermont a 1-0 lead 1:29 into the game when he converted a power-play opportunity. Princeton responded with a power play of its own, as Stevenson-Moore scored his first goal at 17:43 of the first period. Captain David Schneider and David Del Monte picked up the assists.
