William Paterson and NYU renewed their long standing rivalry to open 2019 regular season play on October 4th and 5th, 2019.  While both teams compete in different leagues at the ACHA Men's Division 1 level, the rivalry still brings fast, physical and competitive play to the ice. 

GAME 1   NYU 5  WPU 2  (Boxscore)

NYU used a strong forecheck and aggressive play to set the tone early in game 1 at Chelsea Piers in New York City.  The Violets jumped out to to a 2-0 lead 6:13 into the 1st period.  The Pioneers got on the board when veteran defenseman Brett Connon (Westwood, NJ) scored off a Tommy Bauer (Fords, NJ ) assist.

Later in the second, Adam Marvin (New City, NY) would score to pull the Pioneers within one at 3-2.  However, special teams would be the difference as the Violets outscored the PIoneers 3-0 (2 powerplay, 1 shorthanded) to cap the game 5-2.  Sophomore goaltender, Jeremy Hamerquist (Woodland Park, CO) kept the Pioneers in the game, stopping 51 shots.

GAME 2   WPU 4  NYU 3  (Boxscore)

The teams locked up for game 2 of the series on Saturday afternoon, October 5th at the Ice Vault in Wayne, NJ.  Senior forward, Tommy Bauer scored upstairs off a great rush up the ice to give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead in the 1st period.  In the second period, it was Adam Marvin scoring two powerplay goals to push the Pioneers lead to 3-0.  NYU would not go away and pounded the Pioneers net late in the 2nd and early 3rd period to tie the game 3-3. 

As regulation time wound down in the 3rd period, play was filled with back and forth action, big hits and good goaltending. Forty seconds into overtime, the Pioneers capitalized on a NYU turnover and Tommy Bauer finished the game how he started with a top shelf wrister for the game winner!  

Freshman goaltender, Cole Mulholland (Pompton Lakes, NJ) frustrated the Violets all afternoon and was sharp making 47 saves in his debut.

The Pioneers will now turn to ECHA league play with games on the road at Villanova (8:10pm on October 12) and at Temple (4:00pm on October 13). 

The next home stand is October 25-26 is the Pioneers host Temple (10/25 at 9pm) and Navy (10/26 at 6:15pm).  Come on out to the Ice Vault and support the Pioneers!

Photo Credit: Marissa Vandenberg