BLOOMINGTON, IL – One day after suffering a setback in a shootout, the 23
rd ranked University of Mary hockey team made program history in a 6-2 road win for the Marauders over #15 Illinois State University. Six different players scored goals – including three on the power play - for the Marauders as UMary earned its first American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Men's Division I and Midwest College Hockey victory.
On Friday the Marauders held an impressive 50-34 edge in shots but suffered a 4-3 loss after the Redbirds won the shootout. Saturday's shot totals still favored the Marauders by a more narrow total of 43-37 but the goal differential was much more lopsided.
The Marauders jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead less than two minutes into the game when
Lukas Robinson scored for the first time in his UMary career.
After the Redbirds sent the game into the opening intermission tied 1-1, the Marauders built a 3-1 lead in the second as
Tanner Eskro scored a power play goal at 2:31 before
Johnny Witzke scored 75 seconds later. Illinois State used a power play goal to cut the UMary lead to 3-2 before Andy Huber followed with a matching goal with a man advantage to provide the Marauders a 4-2 lead at the end of two.
UMary salted the game away with third period goals by
Cyril Nagurski – his third of the weekend and the Marauders third power play goal of the night – and
Tucker Kruse.
Witzke, the Marauders All-American defenseman, had a huge night for the Marauders, layering three assists on top of his goal for a 4-point night.
Derek Dropik and
Seth Cushing also had multi-point games as both had two assists.
Conan Hayton was stellar in net for the Marauders. In his first start of the season between the pipe, Hayton finished with 35 saves, including 14 in the second period. He also faced nine power play opportunities for the Redbirds but allowed them to connect just once.
The Marauders finished the game 3-for-7 on the power play on a night featuring a plethora of penalties. UMary was whistled for 11 penalties totaling 30 minutes. Illinois State was called for 26 penalty minutes on nine penalties.
UMary opens the home schedule on Saturday, October 7, when the Marauders host Minot State University. Game time is 7 pm at the Starion Sports Complex Schwann Cadillac Rink.
#marauders#
