By Gavin Lindahl
Sports Assignment Editor
The club hockey team split its road trip with one loss and one overtime win last weekend. The Bonnies’ win over Ithaca Sunday was the team’s first win since Nov. 8 and its second win of the season.
According to junior defenseman and assistant captain Nate Parker, the 4-3 win was a result of the team coming together and playing a complete game.
“Coming back from break is a fresh start. Everyone is back and ready to play,” Parker said. “The team is continuing to come together and work hard – especially on offense.”
Freshmen forward Michael Mendola opened scoring last Saturday with a goal one minute and 23 seconds into the game. Assisting Mendola was fellow freshmen forward Colin Coppola. The trio of Coppola, Mendola and freshmen Tyler Gokey have been one of the Bonnies’ more successful offensive lines this season.
Following Mendola’s early goal, Ithaca found the net twice in the first period. The Bonnies and Ithaca would go on to trade more goals in the second and third periods including one in the third by freshmen forward Joe Piegay.
At the end of 60 minutes, the game was tied three apiece. In the extra period, it was Piegay again who scored the team’s game-winning goal. Senior defenseman Brandon Prendergast led the Bonnies in points on the night with three assists.
The Bonnies are starting their spring semester with three new players. Jordan Ashman is returning to the team after taking the past few semesters off. Center Connor Moore and forward Jonathan Sawyer are also joining the team.
“All three forwards have brought both talent and work ethic,” Parker said. “They’ve also helped bring the tempo up at practice.”
According to Parker, the Bonnies need to fix holes in their own end. The Bonnies’ staggering goals against this season has been evidence of the need to tighten up on defense.
“Defense isn’t our strong suit, but at the same time, it’s something that always needs improving. Last Saturday’s loss against Syracuse, we played an incredible first period, but we needed to tighten up defensively, [and we didn’t,]” Parker said. “A few forwards have volunteered to drop back and help on defense.”
Parker is one of three forwards who will transition to play defense. The other two players are senior Jordan Farnaham and freshmen Ben Solnick.
According to Parker, the reinforcements on the blue line should help in a marathon weekend for the Bonnies this week.
The Bonnies begin their three-game weekend tonight at home at the William O. Smith Recreation Center in Olean. The Bonnies will be facing off at 8:30 p.m. against the same Ithaca College team they beat last Sunday.
Following Friday’s game, the Bonnies will hit the road to play against Cornell University at the Broome County Veterans’ Memorial Arena tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. The Big Red last played the Bonnies on Dec. 5 and beat them 6-3. Finally, the squad will close out its weekend on Sunday, Feb. 1 at Scottsville Arena at 4:30 p.m. against Rochester Institute of Technology. RIT previously beat the Bonnies 5-1 last November.
lindahg12@bonaventure.edu
