The 2018-2019 season was a season of “new” for the Pioneers. 

New Division: ACHA Men’s Division 1

New League: Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association

New Players: 14

Regular Season

After a successful 10 year run that saw nine national tournament appearances at the ACHA Men’s Division 2 level, the Pioneers jumped up to the Division 1 level for the 2018-19 season.   With the graduation of ten players from the 2017-18 team, 14 new Pioneers joined the ranks for the start of the season.  The team got off to a slow start going 2-6-0-1 in its first nine contests, dropping tough early season tests on the road at nationally ranked Stony Brook and Rhode Island.  The Pioneers upped their play as the season progressed and picked up wins on the road at Navy and Drexel.  The team kept up the momentum created before winter break and opened January with a win at Delaware.  The Pioneers battled down the stretch of the season to finish 10-4-0-1 in league play, good for 3rd place in their inaugural ECHA season.  “Despite a slow start and being a young team, this group of players was determined to be successful. They battled adversity all season long and together became a tough group to play against. The battle tested team proved this down the stretch finishing as a #3 seed," said Head Coach Joe Ballance.

Post Season

The Pioneers qualified for the 2019 ECHA playoffs as the #3 seed.  In the quarterfinal matchup, WPU faced off against #6 Temple.  Two goals each from Tommy Bauer and Braden Ploehn lead the way in a 6-2 victory over the Owls.  In the semi-final matchup, the Pioneers fell to eventual ECHA playoff champion West Chester by a score of 5-1.  “While not the result we wanted and not being satisfied, it was a good season and something that we will look to build upon as a team,” said Ballance.

Forwards

Balanced scoring was the theme from the forwards as the Pioneers got contributions up and down the lineup.  Junior Tommy Bauer led the way with 13 goals, while Andy DeAngelis and Alex Cavaluzzo punched in nine goals each.  Seniors Hunter Ledwith (2-10-12), Todd Unger (4-3-7) and graduate student Tyler Steimel (5-5-10) provided much needed veteran leadership all season.  Freshmen Ryan Vogt (6-15-21) appeared in all 25 games and provided strong two-way play every night.  Nick King (5-4-9) and Mike King (4-3-7) came up with timely goals that helped turn the Pioneer season around.   

Defensemen

After graduating a veteran group of defensemen last season, sophomore Walt Keiper stepped up as team captain for the 2018-19 campaign.  Keiper lead the defensive corps with a (6-13-19) stat line and earned second team ECHA All-Star honors.  Newcomers Braden Ploehn (5-10-15) and Eaman McMillion (5-5-10) had solid first seasons as Pioneers.  After starting the season at center, Scott Huber (3-7-10) jumped back and provided strong support to the defensive corps.  Brett Connon and Jimmy Hunt both appeared in all 25 games and provided sound penalty killing and defensive play every night.  Graduating mid-season was Shawn Lacorte, who will go down as one of the top defenseman in program history.  LaCorte closed his Pioneer career with 119 points in 121 career games.

Goaltenders

The Pioneer goaltenders delivered steady play all season registering four shutouts in 26 games.  Newcomer Jeremy Hamerquist led the team in minutes and posted eight wins with a .906 save percentage.  Senior Nate Leo posted two shutouts and provided senior leadership for the three new Pioneer goaltenders.  Dominic Lamanno came on mid-season and posted one shutout and a .922 save percentage over the final stretch.  Dean Bua worked hard in net all season and supported the team in many areas on and off the ice.

Final Record

13-12-0-1    

"We are looking forward to next season and years to come building around this core of players,” said Ballance.

Congratulations to our senior class Nate Leo, Hunter Ledwith, Tyler Steimel and Todd Unger!

Photo: Marissa Vandenberg