The Lions came into the weekend feeling good about themselves, after having a solid opening weekend against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks. Friday night they traveled to Wayne, NJ to take on another ECHA Division 1 opponent, the William Paterson Pioneers in the front end of a home and home series. The Pioneers came out strong, scoring a few minutes into the period but the Lions would respond with a power play goal from Anthony DeAlto, who finished a nice pass from captain Jameson Dugan. William Paterson would respond with two quick goals and take a the 3-1 lead into the second period. TCNJ would pickup the play a bit but the Pioneers would extend the lead to three on a rebound goal. TCNJ would get a late two-man advantage and DeAlto would convert again, finishing a Travis Beni shot for his second goal of the game. The second period would end with William Paterson holding a 4-2 lead, although the game play had evened out. The third period started with both teams playing solid defense but with just under six minutes remaining, Dealto would net the hat trick to pull the Lions within one goal. TCNJ would continue pushing, even while shorthanded but they would not be able to tie the game. The Pioneers took the first game 4-3. Goalie Justin Cooper finished with 34 saves, DeAlto had all three Lions goals, assists went to Dugan, Beni, Hannigan and Leonard. 

Sunday, TCNJ hosted William Paterson in their second home game of the season. The Pioneers blitzed the Lions in the first period, scoring 3 unanswered goals and controlled play throughout the period. TCNJ regrouped between periods and picked up their play, cutting the deficit to two when Glen Puzo scored from the slot. Unfortunately, the Pioneers would answer the goal which restored the three goal lead and they would take that into the third period. The Pioneers would increase the lead to 5-1 in the first five minutes of the third before Chris Cantelmo scored to cut it back to a three goal lead, William Paterson would finish off the game with a 5-2 win. Goalie Michael Bussanich was a brick wall, stopping 53 of the 58 shots he faced. Assists went to Travis Beni and Jake Barrera, his first college point. 

Next Friday's game at Princeton has been postponed and will be made up on a later date. The Lions return to Loucks Ice Center next Saturday, September 25th as we host the Villanova Wildcats at 3:15pm.