ONU HOCKEY ROLLS PAST LEWIS IN 9-2 OFFENSIVE SHOWCASE

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. - The Tigers opened their season against the Lewis University Flyers on Friday, Sept. 30. This is the second season in which the Tigers opened against the Flyers. In the first year of the program, Lewis defeated ONU. This time, the Tigers got the best of the Flyers in a 9-2 victory. This win also marks the first time ONU has won the season opener in their short four-year history. Lewis opened the scoring in the first period, but after that it was all Tigers on their way to a 1-0 record on the season. 

Lewis started fast and scored 17 seconds into the game. A well-placed point shot snuck past ONU goalie Connor Nugent. Six minutes into the period ONU answered to make it 1-1. Senior winger Roan Burke scored on a wrist shot from the high slot to get the equalizer. Burke's goal was assisted by freshman defenseman Brandon Schaefer. ONU scored again a few shifts later to take the lead. Junior center Tommy Murray III scored from the high slot on a pass from senior Noah Domagalski. The Tigers scored two more times before the period ended, one by junior Carter Sailer, assisted by Tommy Murray III. The last of the period was scored by Senior Alex Verkler by a nice pass from freshman Frank DeBartolo. The end of the first period finished with the Tigers leading 4-1. 

After a good first period, ONU started quickly in the second. Sophomore Micheal Verni scored on a pass from Burke early in the second period. The Flyers showedgrit and battled throughout the second period. They scored one more goal off the faceoff and a rebound off Nugent. The Tigers dominant offense was still setting the tempo though. They finished the period with one more goal from Sailer, assisted by Murray III. After two periods, it was a 6-2 advantage for ONU. 

The third period was more of the same for the Tigers. Goals from Sailer, Verkler, and Murray led to a final score of 9-2 and a win for ONU.

The Tigers look ahead to next weekend where they take on St. Louis University and Maryville University down in Missouri.  

Box Score: 

Goals: Sailer (2), Verkler (2), Murray (2), Burke, Verni, DeBartolo  

Assists: Domagalski (2), Murray III (2), B. Schaefer, DeBartolo, Verni, Majszak