APPLETON, Wis. — Matt Moore’s goal early in the third period Friday was the difference as Lawrence University downed Marian University 3-2 in a Northern Collegiate Hockey Association game at the Appleton Family Ice Center.
The game was part of the annual Battle of Highway 41 series, which shifts to the Blue Line Ice Center in Fond du Lac on Saturday. The Vikings (1-2-0, 1-0-0 NCHA) need a win or a tie Saturday to take back the traveling trophy.
The game was tied at 2-2 to start the third period, and the Vikings cashed in on an early scoring chance. Steve Hughes took a pass from Ryan Rumble, and Hughes’ shot was deflected to Moore, who was waiting on the back door. Moore stuffed the shot in the back of the net and the Vikings led 3-2 at the 5:13 mark.
The teams traded scoring chances throughout the third, and Marian pulled goaltender Mike Gudmandson with 1:28 remaining. The Vikings withstood a final flurry to seal the win.
Lawrence goaltender Mattias Soderqvist made 30 saves to pick up the win. Gudmandson stopped 20 shots for the Sabres (1-2-0, 1-2-0).
Lawrence jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a pair of first-period goals. Renato Engler scored at the 9:02 mark off a pass from Brad Mueller, and Jake Kreutzer then scored on the power play at 11:22. Brandon Boelter and Austin Frank picked up assists on Kreutzer’s goal.
Marian countered with a power-play goal from Gianni Mangone and a goal from James Mathias in the second period to tie it.