LYNCHBURG, VA – Left alone in the closing minutes of the third period, Zach Garrett knocked home the winning goal to push visiting University of Mary past Liberty University 3-2. In second of three straight games between two ACHA Division II powerhouses, Garrett's second goal of the game keeps UMary undefeated on the season.
 
The Marauders and the Flames skated to a 3-3 draw to open the series on Thursday with the Marauders winning the shootout. Ranked second in the final ACHA D2 poll of 2019-20, UMary improves to 6-0-0-2 on the season. Liberty, ranked third nationally at the end of last year, is 0-1-1-0.
 
With time running down and the score knotted at two goals apiece, the Marauders took full advantage of just their second power play opportunity of the game. Using a size advantage to create havoc in front of the Flames net, Jaren Hugelen corralled a rebound of an Andrew Heckaman shot attempt and slid the puck from just in front of the crease to a wide-open Garrett. Perched alone to the left of the net, Garrett immediately lit the lamp with only 5:07 remaining in the game to give the Marauders a 3-2 lead. From there the Marauder defense took control of the game.
 
In a second straight tightly-contested matchup, Garrett opened the scoring at 12:27 of the first period. Andrew Huber gained control of the puck behind the Flames net and handed the puck off to Garrett. The8 Marauders captain skated unimpeded out front before sliding the puck just inside the right post. The lead proved short-lived as the Flames evened the score less than three minutes later.
 
UMary tallied the only goal of the second period as Kyler Moore scored off assists from Cyril Nagurski and Heckaman at 12:53. Liberty pulled even just 33 seconds into the final period on a goal by Tim Doe. It was the second straight game that Doe had scored a goal for the Flames within the first minute of the third period.
 
Conan Hayton proved a strong presence in net for the Marauders, posting a season-high 32 saves in the victory.
 
The Marauders and the Flames wrap up their series at 7 pm ET / 6 pm CST on Saturday, October 24.
 
FINAL University of Mary 3 Liberty University 2
 
University of Mary           1             1             1             - 3
Liberty University            1             0             1             - 2
 
First Period 
1. UMary, Zach Garrett (Andrew Huber), 12:27. 2. LU, Josh Malin (Campbell), 14:45. Penalties Garrett, UMary (Interference), 7:36. Tanner Eskro, UMary (tripping), 9:01. Seth Cushing, UMary (slashing), 16:38.    
 
Second Period 
3. UMary, Kyler Moore (Cyril Nagurski, Andrew Heckaman), 12:53. Penalties Darren Carter, LU (tripping), 8:08. Flicek, UMary (elbow), 18:08.
 
Third Period
4. LU, Tim Doe (Luke McFarlane), 0:33. 5. UMary, Garrett (Jaren Hugelen, Andrew Heckaman), ppg, 14:53. Penalties Reece Hubbard, UMary (interference), 2:00. Flicek, UMary (roughing), 7:06. Carter, LU (roughing), 7:06). Maxx Mitchell, LU (holding), 14:00.
 
Shots on Goal: UMary 9-9-11 29. LU 11-10-13 34.
 
Power play opportunities: UMary 1 for 2; LU 0 for 5.
 
Goalies: UMary Conan Hayton (34 shots – 32 saves). LU Dakota Cyhaniuk (29 shots - 26 saves).
 
T: 2:00
 
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