APPLETON, Wis. — Lawrence University goaltender Mattias Soderqvist earned his first career shutout as the Vikings topped Concordia (Wis.) University 2-0 Friday night in a Northern Collegiate Hockey Association game at the Appleton Family Ice Center.
Soderqvist, a junior from Stockholm, Sweden, stopped 26 shots to post the first shutout for the Vikings (4-8-0, 3-4-0 NCHA) since a 3-0 win over Northland College on Feb. 22, 2013.
In a game filled with spectacular goaltending from both teams, Jack Romanuik made 21 saves for the Falcons (8-4-1, 5-3-1). Lawrence finished with 23 shots on goal.
Lawrence grabbed the lead on its first shot on goal for the game. Mikkel Joehnk took a pass from Brad Mueller and his shot from above the right face-off circle went over Romanuik’s shoulder for a 1-0 lead at 4:20 of the first period.
Despite great chances for both teams, the score stayed that way until the third period. Lawrence’s Renato Engler raced in down the right side and fired a hard shot that was saved by Romanuik. The rebound bounced to Romanuik’s left and freshman Nick Felan stuffed in the rebound to put the Vikings up 2-0 at the 8:45 mark of the third.
Lawrence killed off a Concordia power play later in the period, and the Falcons pulled Romanuik with 1:35 left for an extra attacker. The Vikings stymied the Falcons for the final minute to preserve the shutout.
The teams wrap up the series Saturday night at the Ozaukee Ice Center.