BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (January 11, 2025) – The Stonehill College men's hockey team defended its home ice at the Bridgewater Ice Arena, taking down NCAA Division I Independent foe Lindenwood University Saturday night. With the win, the Skyhawks improved to 7-19 overall, while the Lions fell to 5-16-1 on the year.

Highlights

• Junior captain Frank Ireland, junior Teddy Lagerbäck, and first-year student Zach Aben each scored their third goals of the season, respectively.
• Sophomore classmates Charlie Banquier and JJ Grainda recorded their respective third assists of the year
• Senior Henri Schreifels paved the way for the Skyhawks at the dot, winning 17 of his 30 total draws on the night.
• Graduate goaltender Connor Androlewicz held the Lions to two goals and picked up his seventh win of the campaign after stopping 26 shots in between the pipes.
• Junior John Evans registered his third point of the weekend series with a goal in the third period, while senior Artyom Borshyov netted his third goal of the season.  
• Junior Drew Kuzma dished out his fourth assist of the season and dominated the faceoff circle, winning 16 of his 20 total draws for Lindenwood.
• Senior netminder Henry Graham posted 22 saves on 25 shots faced inside the crease for the Lions.

How It Happened
Stonehill wasted no time taking control, jumping to an early 1-0 lead just 24 seconds into the game. Ireland stick-checked the puck away from a Lindenwood defenseman, then broke away, deking to his backhand and sending a shot past the outstretched Graham to score his third goal of the season.
 
After the early strike from Stonehill's captain, Lindenwood dominated possession in the offensive zone, registering 17 shot attempts to the Skyhawks' nine for the remainder of the first period. Despite the pressure, Stonehill's defense stood strong in front of Androlewicz, blocking six shots in the opening frame to maintain their 1-0 lead heading into the break.
 
Lindenwood carried its offensive momentum into the second period, outshooting Stonehill 6-1 in the first six minutes. At 6:17, Borshyov leveled the score, wristing a shot from the high slot through traffic and past Androlewicz for his fourth goal of the season.
 
The remainder of the period saw both teams trade shot attempts and power-play opportunities, but neither side could break the deadlock. The game remained tied 1-1 heading into the third period.
 
Coming out of the second intermission, Stonehill looked to regain the lead. At 4:17, sophomore Dominick Campione nearly put the Skyhawks up, firing a one-timer off the crossbar.
 
Midway through the final frame, a cross-checking penalty on Schreifels gave Lindenwood a power-play opportunity, but it was Stonehill who capitalized shorthanded. At 11:44, Banquier won a puck battle along the boards and sent a pass to Aben, who fired a wrist shot top shelf to give the Skyhawks a 2-1 lead, marking their second shorthanded goal of the season.
 
Just over two minutes later, Grainda found Lagerbäck, who scored the eventual game-winner with a backhanded shot inside the near post. Lindenwood responded quickly, as Evans capitalized on a loose puck in the crease to cut the deficit to 3-2.
 
Despite pulling their goalie with 1:45 remaining, Lindenwood could not find the equalizer. Stonehill's defense stifled the Lions' efforts, allowing just one shot on goal in the final two minutes to secure the 3-2 victory on home ice.
 
Up Next
Stonehill (7-19-0) returns to action on Saturday, January 18, traveling to nearby Lowell, Massachusetts to match up against nationally ranked No. 8 UMass Lowell. Puck drop from Tsongas Center between the Skyhawks and River Hawks is set for 6 PM.

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