MANCHESTER, N.H. – Freshman defenseman James Hope notched his first collegiate goal with Post University Men's Ice Hockey, while senior goalie Benjamin Cunneen earned his third shutout of the season in net for the Eagles, making 34 saves to help snap the four-game losing streak for Post with a 2-0 victory over Southern New Hampshire University on Saturday afternoon to close out the 2025 portion of their season. 

THE BASICS

Post University 2, Southern New Hampshire University 0

Post University (3-7-1, 2-5-1 NE10)

Southern New Hampshire University (3-6-1, 2-5-1 NE10) 

HOW IT HAPPENED
In addition to snapping a four-game losing streak, the Eagles were also able to snap a six-game losing streak against the Penmen on the road, having not beaten them since March 1st, 2022, in overtime, 3-2, entering the game. After junior goalie Sean Guerin played last night for the Penmen, it would be junior goalie Collin Berke's turn in net for Southern New Hampshire, taking on Cunneen, who made his third straight start of the week.

Both goalies would be in control of the first period as both offenses came out firing to the tune of a 15-10 margin in favor of the Penmen, but neither side could find the back of the net, sending them to the second period in a scoreless tie before Post drew first blood. Although 0-for-6 on the power play in the game with three chances in both the first and third, senior forward Jacob Howell would tally his first goal of the season from senior defenseman Ryan O'Connell nearly halfway through the affair. 

Hope would provide an insurance goal in the early stages of the third period for the Eagles with the assistance of sophomore defenseman Aidan Canady and junior forward Connor McCowell, allowing for Cunneen to have a little more breathing room in a frame where he saw 14 shots, bringing his game total to 34 saves in the 2-0 shutout win for Post. Berke would close with 30 saves, taking the loss for Southern New Hampshire as both teams exit the weekend with identical conference records at 2-5-1.

BY THE NUMBERS  

• James Hope recorded his first collegiate goal for Post University in the victory -- Hope entered the day with two career points as he had two assists on the season
• The win for Post University on the road is its first since the 2021-22 season, when they beat Southern New Hampshire University in overtime, 3-2, on March 1st, 2022
• Scotty Swain's three-point streak was snapped in today's game -- Swain had recorded at least one point in each of his first three games since returning to the lineup for Post University, entering the day
• All three of Post University's wins have come in shutout fashion against WestConn, Saint Michael's College, and now Southern New Hampshire University -- The Eagles entered the season with no shutouts in program history

WHO'S NEXT 
After a month off, Post University will return home to take on Albertus Magnus College on January 6th at 1:00 PM at the Sports Center of Connecticut in Shelton, Connecticut. The Eagles have lost three of their last four games against the Falcons, last playing them at home during the 2023-24 season in an 8-1 loss.