By Julie Kayzerman
Editor-in-Chief
The College’s ice hockey team didn’t leave the ice with a win on paper, but they left with much-needed confidence going forward with the rest of the season.
Senior goalie David Laub played one of his best games in net with 55 saves in the Lions’ 4-3 loss to Rowan University on Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Louck’s Ice Center at 5:30 p.m.
“We knew coming in it was going to be a tough game,” Laub said. “We were looking forward to seeing how we’d measure up against one of the better teams in our region and probably the best team we’ve played so far this year.”
It was a hard fought battle in the first. The Lions found themselves down 1-0 halfway through the first but answered back with three goals of their own just minutes later.
Senior forward Evan Herrington capitalized on a rebound off of freshman defender Matt Liebers’ shot from the point to even up the score with 7:59 to go in the first.
With just under four minutes remaining in the period, senior forward Kevin Collins beat the Profs’ defense, sneaking the puck past Rowan’s goalie, off an assist from senior defenseman Matt Martin for a power play goal.
Collins struck again with under a minute to go, sniping the puck into the top left pocket of the net with an assist from junior forward Will Sulpizio.
However, with 11 seconds remaining in the first, Rowan’s offense pushed through with a breakaway goal to leave the period at 3-2.
“The first period was pretty even and they didn’t have a lot of shots and ended up with two goals,” Laub said. “But as the game went on, they started getting more and more shots and I got into the zone and was pretty determined to keep the lead.”
But the second period fell flat, with Rowan constantly testing Laub with 17 shots and valid scoring opportunities, but Laub stood tall to keep the period scoreless and the College in the game.
“We came out strong and went up early, and weren’t able to hold on, but I think we learned a lot as a team and proved that we can play with anybody,” Laub said.
With tough play in the third, the Lions fell to a few sloppy mistakes that Rowan capitalized on to seal a 4-3 win over the College.
“The guys battled hard in front of me all game against a tough, physical team and just a couple of bad bounces at the end cost us,” Laub said. “But I think we can take a lot of positives from this game and I think we are all feeling pretty confident about the rest of the season and the way we are playing.”
On Saturday, Oct. 24, the College dominated West Chester University, 5-2.
Forwards Collins, Peter Hansinger and Mike Lisciandro scored a goal apiece while junior forward Nick Mancini and Liebers recorded a goal and an assist each in the triumph.
The Lions will return to their home ice on Friday, Oct. 30, to take on Bloomsburg University at 9 p.m.
