The Warriors (5-1-2, 2-1-1) came into the weekend riding high on a big wave of momentum after a big come from behind win over Bucknell last Sunday and they were looking to ride that wave all the way down to Harrington, Delaware to take on Salisbury University (5-5-1, 3-0-0). Both teams come into the game near the top of their division in the DVCHC American Conference looking to create some separation from the rest of the pack. These two teams only faced off once last season, a 3-0 win for Salisbury, and this will be the only meeting between these two squads this season (barring any future playoff matchups). The Warriors were looking for another statement win to prove their status as serious contenders this season and it looked like it early in the first as they got off to a good start. At the 15:40 mark, it was Henry Mead burying one from the back door off of a nifty feed from defenseman Ray Seakan breaking down the right boards and cutting to the net. That goal would hold serve for about ten minutes until Salisbury was able to get their footing in this contest and knot the score at 1-1 thanks to Tre Holsey at the 6:56 mark of the 1st. Both teams would start to fight for that important lead to gain the momentum going into the second period until there was about two minutes left in the period. It all started with a big time save by Salisbury goaltender Thomas Brake on Henry Mead, who was wide open on the back door again. But the save took the goalie out of position and freshman Sean McGinley was able to softly tap in the rebound for his 15th of the season to give the Warriors the 2-1 lead heading to the locker room.

The ice would barely had enough time to freeze at the start of the second period before Salisbury was able to tie the game once again, this time 2-2, off of a goal from Evan Lacroix just 1:49 into the frame. But what has become an identity for this Warriors team, they were able to answer back quickly as Henry Mead would get his second goal of the game off of a nice feed from Sean McGinley in front to regain the lead at the 16:46 mark, 3-2. Again there would be a 10 minute lull in scoring in this period until the Barber-Quimby-Marrero line was able to put together a great shift to build a huge lead. That line would combine for 2 goals in 26 seconds at the 5:54 and 5:28 mark. It started with a shot on net that caused the Salisbury goalie to kick out a rebound in front where Chris Marrero was standing and he was able to spin around and sneak one under the pad for the first goal of the shift. Then, after a great break out, it would be Chris Marrero starting the tic-tac-toe passing play as he would drop it back to Josh Barber who would then sneak one through to a streaking Steve Quimby in the high slot for the finish and a 5-2 lead. The Warriors were hoping to hold this big lead they just built going into the third period but Salisbury was able to capitalize off of a turnover with 30 seconds left and get one past goaltender Josh Seder to cut the lead to 5-3 just before the break.

Just like the previous two periods, the 3rd period would start with a lull in scoring for about 8 minutes, as Salisbury was starting to tilt the ice towards the ESU net, putting multiple chances on net (mostly missing high and wide). Then, at the 12:26 mark, the Gulls were able to create a 3 on 1 break into the ESU zone and finish it off with the puck in the back of the net, cutting the Warriors' lead down to 5-4. The next 12 minutes would be gut wrenching for the Warriors as they try to hold onto a now slim one goal lead, something they were not able to do against Rutgers the weekend before. But this game would be different as the Warriors would get two empty net goals sandwiched around a Salisbury goal in the last minute to complete the 7-5 victory. The Warriors move to 6-1-2 overall and 3-1-1 in the conference and into a tie for first place with Bucknell in the American East Division. Salisbury moves to 5-6-1 overall and 3-1-0 in the conference and into a tie for second place with Johns Hopkins University in the American West Division. The Warriors would also get a 1-0 forfeit victory over Western Connecticut State on Sunday moving their overall record to 7-1-2.

Game Notes: Henry Mead and Steve Quimby both with 2 goals, Ray Seakan - 2A

Player of the Game: Chris Marrero - 1G, 1A on the nicest passing play of the season for the Warriors

The Warriors come back home for a game against Widener on Sunday morning at 11:15am so get the coffee and donuts ready. Widener comes into the game with an overall record of 1-7-0 and a conference record of 0-2-0 at the bottom of the American East Division so they are hungry for a win. The Pride will also be squaring off with Catholic University on Friday night at home.