LYNCHBURG, VA – A hat trick by
Kyler Moore and tremendous work on special teams propelled the University of Mary to a 4-1 road win over Liberty University, capping an impressive three-game series by the Marauders. In a matchup between two of the premier programs in ACHA Division II, UMary claimed two wins after the Marauders and Flames skated to a tie in the opener.
Ranked second in the final ACHA D2 poll in 2019-20, the undefeated Marauders improve to 7-0-0-2 on the season. The Flames, ranked third nationally at the end of last season, fall to 0-2-0-1 this year.
The Marauders penalty kill unit was perfect on the night, killing off all six of the Flames power play opportunities while also scoring the final goal of the night. Offensively the Marauders scored on two of five opportunities with a man advantage. Over the last two games the Marauders penalty kill unit skated off 11 straight penalties and held the Flames power play to a 1-for-15 effort over the three games.
Down early after the Flames scored less than three minutes into the game, Moore pulled the Marauders even at 1-1 on a power play goal at 6:04 off assists from
Seth Cushing and
Alex Flicek.
The native of Firestone, CO, gave the Marauders their first lead of the game in the second period. With time running out on the middle stanza, the Marauders again scored with a man advantage as Moore found the net at 17:29.
Marshall Tschida and Flicek earned assists on what proved to be the game-winning goal.
Behind a penalty kill unit forced into action four times and another strong effort in net by
Kyle Hayden, the Marauders held off a late charge by the Flames. The game remained in doubt until Moore completed his hat trick with 75 seconds remaining on the clock, scoring into an empty net.
Andrew Heckaman added one final goal for UMary with three seconds left, also scoring a short-handed goal into an empty net.
Hayden finished the game with 31 saves on a night UMary outshot Liberty 46-32.
Cushing and Flicek, who rank 1-2 on the Marauders in goals scored, both posted a pair of assists in the win.
The Marauders next begin a five-game home stand when UMary hosts Williston State College on Wednesday, Oct. 28, before Iowa State University visits on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30-31. Face off is 7 pm each night at the Starion Sports Complex Schwan Cadillac Rink.
FINAL University of Mary 4 Liberty University 1
University of Mary 1 1 2 - 4
Liberty University 1 0 0 - 1
First Period
1. LU, McFarlane (Mitchell), 2:21. 2.
Kyler Moore (
Seth Cushing,
Alex Flicek), ppg, 6:04. Penalties Carter, LU (hitting from behind), 4:47. Mitchell, LU (hitting from behind), 10:29. Harrison, LU (interference). 19:39.
Second Period
3. UMary, Moore (
Marshall Tschida, Flicek), ppg, 17:29. Penalties
Zach Garrett, UMary (tripping), 6:45.
Riley Scanlon, UMary (slashing), 13:46. Toone, LU (hooking), 16:16. Wagner, LU (cross check), 17:43.
Third Period
4. UMary, Moore (Cushing), empty net, 18:45. 5.
Andrew Heckaman (
Zach Garrett), shorthanded, empty net, 19:57. Penalties Moore, UMary (hooking), 0:11. Cushing, UMary (cross check), 9:19.
Jaren Hugelen, UMary (interference), 13:22.
Andrew Huber, UMary (cross check), 19:14.
Shots on Goal: UMary 16-10-20 46. LU 7-13-12 32.
Power play opportunities: UMary 2 for 5; LU 0 for 6.
Goalies: UMary
Kyle Hayden (32 shots – 31 saves). LU Dakota Cyhaniuk (44 shots - 42 saves).
T: 2:00
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