CASTLETON, VT. – The College at Brockport ice hockey team lost in the championship game of the WYSB / Catamount Ratio Invitational against Castleton University, 4-3. The Golden Eagles fall to 5-3-1 on the year, where the Spartans move to 4-5.
Brockport started hot as Tim Kielich notched the first goal of the contest 19 seconds into the first period. After a faceoff win, Kielich carried the puck across the ice to have a one-on-one with the goaltender and beat him near post. The lead was double six minutes later on the power play, when Kielich received a pass from Aidan Verbeke and ripped a shot past the goalie from the top of the right-side circle. The scoring onslaught continued when Verbeke scored the third goal in the first period, when he collected a rebound off a Connor Hutchins shot and buried the puck into the back of the net.
Brockport came out stumbling in the second period when Castleton tallied two quick goals in the first four minutes of play to trail by one goal, 3-2. The Golden Eagles added another goal late in period but after a referee review, the goal was disallowed to keep the same score heading into the third.
The score was tied up 3-3 as Green and Gold suffer a goal on a Castleton power play six minutes into the new period. Moments later, Brockport found themselves on the penalty kill but the Golden Eagles defense stopped the offensive threat. Both teams went toe-to-toe for the remainder of the period, but it was the Spartans who tallied the go-ahead goal to lead 4-3 with five minutes remaining in the contest. Brockport fought back but could not convert any goals as they lose by the eventual score.
Kielich led the way with two goals, while Verbeke accounting for a goal and an assist, and Chris Pollini finished with two assists. Matt Schneider ended the game with 22 saves and a .846 save percentage.
Two Golden Eagles were named to the All-Tournament team with Kielich earning on a spot on the offense, as he finished the weekend with two goals and three assists. Schneider was named as the All-Tournament goaltender as he racked up 52 saves through two games.
Brockport travel back home where they face SUNY Cortland this Friday Dec. 1st, with the game slated to start at 7 p.m.
