#10 MARAUDERS OPENS 2024 ACHA TOURNAMENT THURSDAY, MARCH 7
The University of Mary hockey team is no stranger to national tournaments, competing in three straight championship events. UMary claimed back to back American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Division 2 titles in 2021 and 2022 and lost only one time in 13 national tournament games.
 
The 10^th seeded Marauders are breaking new ground in 2024, though, as UMary moved up a level to ACHA Men's Division 1 and will compete in the ACHA MD1 tournament for the first time.
 
#10 UMary opens the 2024 ACHA MD1 tournament against #23 seed West Chester University on Thursday, March 7, at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, MO. Face off is slated for 4:45 pm.
 
The winner of the UMary-West Chester meeting will face 7^th seeded Liberty on Saturday, March 9 at 4:45 pm. The quarterfinals is set for Sunday, March 10 with the semifinals on Monday, March 11. The ACHA MD1 game is slated for 7 pm on March 12.
 
THE RECORDS
UMary enters the ACHA MD1 national tournament with a record of 25-13-0-0-1 (W-L-OTL-SOW-SOL) overall and a mark of 22-13-0-0-1 against ACHA MD1 foes… West Chester University is 22-5-1-2.
 
TOURNAMENT SITE
ACHA tournament games (all levels) are played at the Centene Community Ice Center and the Maryville University Hockey Center in St. Louis.
 
How To Stream ACHA Hockey Nationals 2024
The championships will stream live on FloHockey and the FloSports app. Both platforms will be home to game replays, highlights and breaking news. (NOTE: FloHockey/FloSports requires a paid subscription).
 
BUFFALO WILD WINGS WATCH PARTY
If you can't be at the big game to cheer on your favorite Marauders, join us at Buffalo Wild Wings (Bismarck South location) to catch all the action on the big screens. Buffalo Wild Wings will stream all the UMary postseason action so you will never miss out as our Marauders scholar-athletes compete #ForTheShip!
 
2024 ACHA Men's Division 1 Tournament Schedule
(All-Times Central | All games at the Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, MO)
 
Thursday, March 7
Game 1 - Missouri State University vs. University of Utah – 10:15 am
Game 2- University of Pittsburgh vs. University of Arizona – 10:45 am
Game 3 - Indiana University of Pennsylvania vs. Purdue University Northwest – 1:30 pm
Game 4 - University of Delaware vs. Grand Valley State University – 2:00 pm
Game 5 - West Chester University vs. University of Mary – 4:45 pm
Game 6 - Indiana Tech vs. Calvin University – 5:15 pm
Gane 7 - Oswego State University vs. Niagara University  – 8:00 pm
Game 8 - Grand Canyon University vs. Illinois State University – 8:30 pm
 
Friday, March 8
Game 9 - Game 2 Winner vs. University of Jamestown – 10:15 am
Game 10 - Game 4 Winner vs. University of Central Oklahoma – 1:30 pm
Game 11 - Game 6 Winner vs. Adrian College – 4:45 pm
Gamme 12 - Game 8 Winner vs. Minot State University – 8:00 pm
 
Saturday, March 9
Game 13- Game 1 Winner vs. University of Nevada-Las Vegas – 10:15 am
Game 14- Game 3 Winner vs. Maryville University – 1:30 pm
Game 15- Game 5 Winner vs. Liberty University – 4:45 pm
Game 16 - Game 7 Winner vs. Ohio University - 8:00 pm
 
Sunday, March 10
Game 13 Winner vs. Game 9 Winner at Centene Community Ice Center (MO) – 10:15 am
Game 14 Winner vs. Game 10 Winner at Centene Community Ice Center (MO) – 1:30 pm
Game 15 Winner vs. Game 11 Winner at Centene Community Ice Center (MO) – 4:45 pm
Game 16 Winner vs. Game 12 Winner at Centene Community Ice Center (MO) – 8:00 pm
 
Monday, March 11
National Semi-Final Game - Quarter-Final Winner vs. Quarter-Final Winner – 4:45 pm
National Semi-Final Game - Quarter-Final Winner vs. Quarter-Final Winner – 8:00 pm
 
Tuesday, March 12
National Championship Game - Lower Seeded Semi Winner vs. Higher Seeded Semi Winner – 8:00 pm
 
UMary ACHA Tournament History
2018-19 | 1st year, ineligible
 
2019-20 | #1 seed, cancelled due to pandemic
 
2020-21 | 5-0, ACHA MD2 National Champions | Mandan, ND
Pool play game 1 | UMary 6 Davenport 0
Pool play game 2 | UMary 3 Providence 1
Pool play game 3 | UMary 5 North Carolina State 1
Semifinals | UMary 7 Liberty 0
Championship Game | UMary 2 Iowa State 0
 
2021-22 | 5-0, ACHA MD2 National Champions | Maryland Heights, MO
Pool play game 1 | UMary 8 Wisconsin 0
Pool play game 2 | UMary 4 Indiana 1
Pool play game 3 | UMary 3 Northeastern  1
Semifinals | UMary 6 Lindenwood 1
Championship Game | UMary 3 Florida Gulf Coast 2 (3 overtimes)
 
2022-23 | 2-1 overall ACHA MD2 | Maryland Heights, MO
Pool play game 1 | UMary 5 Bentley 0
Pool play game 2 | UMary 3 Kentucky 1
Pool play game 3 | St. Thomas 3 UMary 2 (OT)
 
ACHA MD2 TOURNAMENT RECORD | 12-1 overall
 
 
ACHA MD1 TOURNAmENT FORMAT
The 2024 ACHA Men's Division I National Championships presented by FloHockey is a single elimination tournament. This will be the first year of the 24-team format.
 
AMERICAN COLLEGIATE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION 2024 MEN'S DIVISION 1 NATIONAL QUALIFIERS/SEEDS
1 Minot State University
2 Adrian College
3 University of Central Oklahoma
4 University of Jamestown
5 University of Nevada-Las Vegas
6 Maryville University
7 Liberty University
8 Ohio University
9 Niagara University
10 University of Mary
11 Purdue University Northwest
12 University of Utah
13 University of Arizona
14 Grand Valley State University
15 Calvin University
16 Illinois State University
17 Grand Canyon University
18 Indiana Tech
19 University of Delaware
20 University of Pittsburgh
21 Missouri State University
22 Indiana University of Pennsylvania
23 West Chester University
24 Oswego State University
 
FIRST
After playing at the American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Division 2 level for five seasons and winning a pair of national titles, this is the Marauders first year competing at ACHA MD1 and in Midwest College Hockey.  
 
SECOND
The Marauders finished second in the MCH regular season standings and in the MCH tournament
 

2023-24 Midwest College Hockey FINAL Standings
Team Name	W	OTW/ SOW	L	OTL/ SOL	Points	GF	GA
UMary *	15	0	4	1	46	79	41
Jamestown *	16	1	3	0	50	107	22
McKendree *	12	0	8	0	36	73	67
Midland *	9	1	8	2	31	65	60
Illinois State *	10	1	7	0	32	73	71
Waldorf	2	1	14	1	9	26	84
Northern Illinois	0	0	20	0	0	44	122

* Earned playoff spot (top 6 teams qualify)
 
 
THOMAS, WITZKE, SCHLEUSNER EARN MCH HONORS
Johnny Witzke and Isaiah Thomas were named to the MCH All-League First Team and Luke Schleusner earned a spot on the MCH All-Rookie Team. Additionally the MCH Sportsmanship Award was given to Witzke.
 

• A two-way defenseman, Witzke finished with 28 points on the season in 25 games. The Bismarck, ND, native in his fourth season at UMary had nine goals and 19 assists, including three game-winning goals and five on the power play. Witzke was penalized just twice all season for four minutes.
• A forward from Bismarck, ND, in his third season with the Marauders, Thomas led the team with 33 assists and 39 points in 37 games. He scored six goals, including one on the power play and one shorthanded. Thomas posted at least one point in 24 games and multiple points 11 times.
• In his first season at UMary, Schleusner was one of the Marauders top goal scorers. He added eight assists for 18 points in 34 games. Three times he scored a game-winning goal.

 
200
The Marauders program reached 200 wins on November 11, 2023, in a 6-2 victory over Waldorf. Led by Head Coach Dan Huntley, the Marauders first took the ice in September 2018 and is in its sixth season (scroll down for year-by-year results)
 
CUSHING ALL-TIME UMARY LEADER IN GOALS
Seth Cushing became the UMary career leader in goals on December 1, 2023, when he scored the 138th goal with the Marauders. Alex Flicek formerly held the record with 137. Cushing now has 145 goals in his UMary career… Additionally Cushing moved past Zach Garrett (237 points) on the career points list the next game on December 2, 2023. Cushing now has 247 points in his UMary career. Flicek is the all-time team record-holder in points with 292.
 
100 AND COUNTING
The University of Mary earned its 100^th win at home against Minot State University on January 24, 2024. The Marauders are 104-16-2-3-0-0 (W-L-OTL-T-SOW-SOL) all-time at home.
 
HUBER HITS 150
Andrew Huber became the 5^th UMary player to reach 150 career points with a 2-goal 2-assist game at Waldorf Jan. 27. The Bismarck, ND, native owns 98 goals and 59 assists in 207 games with the Marauders.
 
HEITKAMP POWERS UP
Defenseman Michael Heitkamp picked up a hat trick in a 6-1 UMary win over Colorado State. He earlier had a tremendous game in the Marauders 7-1 win over Illinois State. The defensemen had a goal and three assists for four points. In his first season at UMary Heitkamp owns seven goals and 11 assists.
 
CUSHING CHARGING FORWARD
Seth Cushing is putting together another outstanding season. The Marauders all-time leader in goals has found the net a team-high 21 times this season. He also has 14 assists and is third on UMary with 35 points. Cushing leads the squad with seven game-winning goals.
 
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT
Isaiah Thomas has dished out a team-high 33 assists this season, including three in a game three times. He has eight games with multiple assists and has had either a goal or an assist in 24 games out of 34 overall. With six goals in addition to his 33 assists he has a team-leading 39 points on the season.
 
NAGURSKI FINDS HIS NICHE
Defenseman Cyril Nagurski, UMary's lone 6th year player and the only skater besides Andrew Huber who played in the Marauders inaugural season, has scored a career-high nine goals this season and added a career-best 16 assists. He is 5th on the team in goals and 5th in points (24). His previous high for goals was seven last year. Nagurski leads the team with six power play goals.
 
ESKRO ROLLING
Tanner Eskro has scored 15 goals to trail only Seth Cushing (21) for the team lead. He tallied in each of the first five UMary games this season, including two in the first game against Missouri State. He is second on the team in points with 38.
 
ROCKET START
Johnny Witzke having another great season, despite missing 12 games to injury. The Marauders All-American defender has nine goals and 19 assists in 25 games. Witzke had the game-winning goal in the Marauders 5-3 win over #1 Minot State and two goals in a 6-1 win over Colorado State. He is 4th on the team in points with 28. Five of his goals have come on the power play.
  
MINDING THE NET
Conan Hayton and Kyle Hayden have been tremendous between the pipes for the Marauders this season. Hayton owns 11 wins – including a shutout – with a 2.46 goals against average and a .918 save percentage. All-American Kyle Hayden has nine wins and two shutouts with a 2.36 GAA and a .930 save percentage in 20 games. Including two shutouts by Cameron Milewski, the Marauders goalies allow 2.29 goals/game with a .926 save percentage.
 
TESTED TOUGH
The Marauders return 19 skaters from last season… Playing his 6th season is D Cyril Nagurski… Playing in their 5th seasons are D Johnny Witzke, F Seth Cushing, G Kyle Hayden and F Andy Huber, Players in their 4th season are F Derek Dropik, F Tanner Eskro, G Conan Hayton, F Jaren Hugelen, F Riley Scanlon and F Braden Zaste… Entering season 3 is F Garrett Freeman, D Teddy Lillico, F Isaiah Thomas and D Ryan Wolf… Returning for year 2 is F Tucker Kruse, F Liam Massie, D Lucas Medeiros and F Jake Murray.
 
NEW NEW NEW
The Marauders have five scholar-athletes in their first season with the program: F Nick Bradshaw, D Michael Heitkamp, G Cameron Milewski, D Lukas Robinson and F Luke Schleusner… Two players have played previously for ACHA programs. Heitkamp, a Bismarck, ND, native, played the last three seasons in ACHA M1 at Waldorf… Robinson joins UMary after two seasons playing ACHA M3 at Lawrence Tech University.
 
PROGRAM HISTORY LESSON
Under the direction of head coach Dan Huntley, a 2-time coach of the year, the University of Mary was a dominant force in ACHA M2 for all five years the program has existed.

• 2018-19 | 39-5-1-2 (not eligible for postseason as 1st year program)
• 2019-20 | 39-9-2-0 (#1 West Region seed | MWCHL tourney runner-up | #2 nationally in final poll | ACHA M2 tourney cancelled for pandemic)
• 2020-21 | 38-4-1-6 (ACHA M2 national champion | Ranked #1 in final ACHA M2 poll | #1 seed at ACHA M2 championships)
• 2021-22 | 38-4-1-2 (ACHA M2 national champion | Ranked #1 in final ACHA M2 rating | #1 seed from West region)
• 2022-23 | 38-6-3-1 (Ranked #1 in final ACHA M2 rating | #1 seed from West region | was 2-0-1-0 at ACHA M2 championships)

TOTAL | 192-28-8-11 (W-L-OTL-T)
 
GOLDEN GOALTENDERS
The Marauders have featured an All-Athletic Team goaltender all five seasons UMary has had a hockey program. Aaron Nelson was a 1st team selection in 2018-19, the Marauders inaugural season, followed by Lance Knutson (2020) and Kyle Hayden (2021-2022-2023).
 
2022-23 HIGHLIGHTS

• ACHA M2 All-Athletic Team | Johnny Witzke and Kyle Hayden continue making program history for the University of Mary as the duo become the Marauders first 3-time American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Division 2 All-Athletic Team selections. Witzke earned 2022-23 1st team ACHA M2 All-Athletic Team honors while Hayden was voted to the second team. Witzke was previously named to the ACHA M2 All-Athletic Team in 2021 (1st team) and 2022 (2nd team). Hayden, the reigning ACHA M2 Player of the Year, earned 2nd team recognition in 2021 and 1st team honors in 2022.
• Witzke named ACHA M2 West Region Player of the Year | Johnny Witzke is the American Collegiate Hockey Association Men's Division 2 West Region Player of the Year, the third straight Marauder to earn the honor. Witzke played a key role in the Marauders holding opponents to only 74 goals in 54 games. The Marauders team captain, Witzke joins Zach Garret (2020-21) and Kyle Hayden (2021-22) in earning West Region Player of the Year honors for UMary.
• Witzke, Hayden and Thomas named to 2023 ACHA M2 All-West Region Team | Kyle Hayden, Johnny Witzke and Isaiah Thomas are 2022-23 ACHA M2 All-West Region team selections. Hayden and Witzke are 1st team honorees with Thomas earning 2nd team recognition. This is the third time claiming regional honors for Hayden and Witzke while Thomas recognized for the first time.
• Witzke named 2022-23 NDAPSSSA Non-Schol Male Athlete of the Year
• 239 | Drew Lenertz played all 239 games in school history from game one in 2018 through the final game of 2022-23.
• 28 | After winning their first eight games of the season, the Marauders set a program record with a 28 game win streak. UMary finished the 2021-22 season on a 20-game win streak. The winning streak was halted by a 2-2 draw at Liberty University on October 14. Originally declared a forfeit win after the Flames improperly used a skater during a shootout, the result was recently changed to a tie.
• 34 | Undefeated in their first 14 games of the season after closing the 2021-22 season with 20 straight wins, the Marauders set a program record with a 34 game undefeated streak.
• 15 | The Marauders posted a school-record 15 shutouts last season
• 291 | All-time UMary leading scorer finished his 5-year career with the Marauders with 291 points, 137 goals and 154 assists.
• 13 | Kyle Hayden shattered the school record for shutouts in a single season with 13 in 2022-23.

 
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