LYNCHBURG, VA – The University of Mary dropped its first game of the season in a 5-2 loss at Liberty University. It was also the Marauders first loss in six outings against the Flames and also snapped UMary's 5-game win streak to open the year.
 
Despite a long day of travel that started at 3 am in Dallas before arriving 12 hours later in Lynchburg, VA, the Marauders generated a pair of golden opportunities to take a lead midway through the first period. UMary just missed the opening goal when Flames goaltender Dakota Cyhaniuk made a big save on a Derek Dropik shot from the right circle. Moments later Alex Flicek fired wide on a rebound tap-in attempt off a loose puck in front of the net.
 
The Flames nearly broke through late in the first period. After Kyle Hayden came out of the crease to poke check a puck away from a Liberty skater, the puck deflected to a second Flames player. What looked to be a shot into an empty UMary net was foiled when a Marauders skater stepped in front of the shot to keep the game scoreless entering the first intermission.
 
The tide turned against the Marauders in the second period. Liberty's Joseph Nash scored the opening goal just 28 seconds into the middle stanza. Less than four minutes later the Flames doubled their lead on a John George goal.
 
Isaiah Thomas chopped the Marauders deficit in half with a power play goal at 11:19 off an assist from Drew Lenertz. Liberty responded with their own power play goal by Timothy Doe at 17:56 to finish the 2^nd period leading 3-1.  
 
The Flames continued to expand their advantage when Joshua Harell found the back of the net at 5:58 of the third.
 
Refusing to fade away quietly and Hayden off the ice for an extra skater, Marshall Tschida pulled the Marauders within 4-2 with 2:49 left in the game. That would be as close as the Marauders would get as the Flames scored a power play goal by Trevepr Graznow with 2:04 on the clock.
 
In a battle between a pair of All-American goalies, Hayden finished with 18 saves (8-5-5) on 22 shots while Cyhaniuk stopped 19 (8-8-3) of 21 shots.
 
The two teams continue their three-game weekend series on Friday, Oct. 15. Face off is 7:30 pm ET/6:30 pm CST.
 
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