Maryville Sneaks Past ACHA

MEQUON, Wis. – In their 2024 opener, the Concordia University Wisconsin ACHA hockey team fell to Maryville University 5-4 to snap their five-game winning streak and drop to 14-5-1.

In the opening period, the Falcons jumped to a quick 1-0 lead just 15 seconds into the contest as senior Ian Malcolmson (Waukesha, Wis.) scored on assists from junior Garrett Wilderman (Waukesha, Wis.) and senior Rex Staudacher (Yorkville, Ill.).

However, the Saints responded rapidly, equalizing the score at 1-1 a mere 20 seconds later, with 19:25 left in the first period.

Approaching the period's midpoint, CUW seized control again on the power play. On passes from Garrett Wilderman and Ian Malcolmson, senior Lucas Kreuser (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) wrapped his shot past the Maryville goaltender to secure the 2-1 lead.

However, Maryville was able to level the score at 2-2 with 5:39 remaining in the period.

But CUW's explosive offensive persisted, reclaiming the lead at 3-2 with just 2:48 left in the period, as the Falcons capitalized on the 2-on-1 break when Ian Malcolmson set up a scoring opportunity for Garrett Wilderman, who tapped the puck into the back of the goal.

In the waning moments of the period, freshman Rocco Cicirello (Mequon, Wis.) notched his first goal as a Falcon, as Ian Malcolmson and junior Nolan Judge (Glendale, Ariz.) assisted on the goal to give CUW the 4-2 lead after one period of play.

Despite a goal-packed first period that saw six goals between the two teams, neither team found the back of the net in the second, resulting in a maintained score of 4-2, favoring the Blue and White.

After the second intermission, it was Maryville that broke the game's scoring drought, as they found the back of the net with 10:53 remaining, narrowing the Falcons' lead to just one.

Then, with 5:58 left in the game, the Saints slipped one past CUW, leveling the score at 4-4.

In the final stretch, with just 1:41 left, Maryville took their first lead of the night, 5-4.

Despite CUW opting for an empty net in favor of an extra skater, they were unable to pick up the result and fell 5-4.

In the loss, senior goaltender Ian Robertson (Calgary, Alta.) recorded 29 saves.

The Blue and White will look to rebound tomorrow, Jan. 6th, against the Saints of Maryville at 2:45 p.m. from the Ozaukee Ice Center.