Post University: 5-11
Wesleyan University: 10-4 (8-0-2 NESCAC)
MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - The Eagles traveled up to Middletown, Conn. to take on in-state opponent Wesleyan University, a perennial hockey powerhouse in the NESCAC.
The scoring began with the Eagles when Noah Wild collected a loose puck behind the goal, before sending it to John Krapian on the right post who snuck it into the net for the 1-0 edge.
The Cardinals answered at the 11:57 mark when Tyler Kobryn tipped-in a shot by Vincent Lima, making it 1-1.
Wesleyan took a 2-1 advantage with 15:04 expired during a power play. Mike Yablong one-timed a pass from Tyler Wyatt, tucking the puck under the cross bar.
Out of the break, Post knotted the game 2-2 with 7:13 expired in the second. Lucas Smith intercepted a pass in transition before sending the puck to Noah Wild who's shot from the high slot found the back of the goal.
The Cardinals responded at the 10:30 mark when Stephen O'Connor collected the rebound after an initial shot by Hunter Vannier was denied, before sneaking the puck past Brandon Brown, making it 3-2.
Wesleyan wasted little time out of the break, scoring just 1:51 into the third period when Kobryn snuck the puck past Brown on the left post to make it 4-2.
Post looked to take advantage of a five-on-three situation beginning at the 8:37 mark, but a strong Wesleyan defense was able to kill the power play opportunity.
The Cardinals extended their lead to 5-2 with 12:16 expired when Walker Harris found the back of the net from the slot.
The Eagles had a great opportunity to cut the deficit to 5-3 with 4:56 remaining, but Lucas Smith's shot hit the crossbar and careened away.
Tyler Hackett (12) and John Krapian (11) led the Eagles in faceoff wins
Brandon Brown stopped 33 shots on the night, including 18 in the second period.
"We played solid but made some choices that cost us against currently the top team in the NESCAC," head coach Peter Whitney said. "Top teams capitalize on those mistakes . I thought our compete was good we just need to make better decisions under pressure."
Next up for the Eagles is a Friday/Saturday doubleheader against Assumption College at the Sportscenter of Connecticut in Shelton, Conn. Both games will be begin at 7:30 p.m.
