The Pioneers entered the final weekend of the fall semester looking for two wins heading into break.  Friday night in front a strong home crowd, the Pioneers took on in-state rival Rutgers University.  While Rutgers would strike first, the Pioneers were getting several opportunities and then leading scorer Adam Marvin (New City, NY) scored on the man advantage tying the game at 1.  Rutgers would take the lead again in the second period on a penalty shot opportunity.  The Pioneers were generating scoring chances and outshooting Rutgers, however trailed 2-1 in the game heading into the third period.  Again, it would be the man advantage and Marvin scoring on a nice individual effort tying the game at 2-2.  Shortly after, Captain Thomas Bauer (Fords, NJ) would score off a shot from the point by Frank Filato (Kirkland, QC, Canada) to give the Pioneers a 3-2 lead.  Forward Dillon Krok (Valley Cottage, NY) would score off a faceoff win by Joe Vocca (Wyckoff, NJ) a couple minutes later giving the Pioneers a 4-2 lead.  Austin Teats (Emerson, NJ), Jason Lastra (2) (Rutherford, NJ), Braden Ploehn (Pompton Plains, NJ) added assists. Goaltender Hunter Koch (Boonton, NJ) was solid in net making 24 saves and preserved the 4-2 lead for the victory. 

The next night, the Pioneers travelled to take on ECHA opponent Temple University.  Temple came out strong and took an early 1-0 lead on a breakaway opportunity.  The Pioneers would strike back on the power play with Marvin capitalizing for his 17th goal of the season.  The goal was assisted by defensemen George Boyle (North Wales, PA) and Goaltender Cole Mulholland (Pompton Lakes, NJ).  The Pioneers headed into the second period looking to build on their late first period momentum.  The team did just that as Adam Marvin struck for his 18th of the season with assists coming from Austin Teats and Frank Filato.  Later in the period, the Pioneers would strike two more times with goals coming from Nick King (Oak Ridge, NJ) and Thomas Bauer off a nice individual effort.  Alex Cavaluzzo (Lake Hiawatha, NJ) would record two assists on the goals.  Jason Lastra would convert in the third period giving the Pioneers a 5-2 lead for the victory with assists coming from Zach Thompson (Anchorage, AK) and Braden Ploehn. Cole Mulholland was solid in net recording 36 saves and two assists on the night.  “Our goaltenders were really solid this weekend making some game changing saves in both games. They gave us momentum when it was needed.  Hunter made some key saves against Rutgers, especially when we took the lead.  Cole not only made some big and timely saves all game, but he demonstrated his puck handling ability by helping the team in break out situations and in transition.  His two assists were just a small reflection of the type of impact he can have on a game”, said Coach Ballance.

The Pioneers hold a 13-4 record and are on semester break until January 14th where they travel to Montclair State.  The team will also travel on January 15th against Rider University.  Both games are non-league and non-division games.  The Pioneers will be back home on Saturday, January 22nd to take on ECHA opponent Lehigh University (6:15 PM). 

Photo Credit:  Marissa Vandenberg