HERSHEY, Pa. ­­– Three players scored goals in the first period for the Lebanon Valley College men's ice hockey team on Friday, Nov. 17, propelling the program to a 3-2 victory over Arcadia University at Hersheypark Arena. 

Lebanon Valley (3-5-0, 2-1-0 UCHC, 1-0-0 MAC) got its offense rolling during the opening frame against Arcadia (1-5-2, 0-4-2 UCHC, 0-1-0 MAC), helping the team earn its first win in Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) play. The Dutchmen scored just a minute into the game while adding two more goals in the remaining minutes of the period. The Knights scored in each of the last two frames, but LVC preserved its early advantage through the end of the contest. 

The Flying Dutchmen opened the scoring after 60 seconds of play, taking a 1-0 lead against Arcadia. Junior Jordan Stear got the squad on the board with a power play goal, following assists by senior Darion Benchich and junior Harris Blackwood. The program's first point of the night marked Stear's first career goal. 

Lebanon Valley found the net again just 4:53 later, extending its advantage to 2-0. Sophomore Tanner Tolliver sent a shot past the goaltender, courtesy of an assist by first-year Justin Davis. The Dutchmen continued to score as the first period went on, making it a 3-0 game with 2:39 remaining in the frame. Senior Blake Tosto added to the team's lead with a short-handed goal. LVC also kept the opposition scoreless through the first 20 minutes, as sophomore goaltender Chris Branch saved each of the eight shots on goal he faced. 

Each squad was aggressive offensively in the second period, as both teams registered double-digit shot totals. Sophomore Troy Andrews led the Flying Dutchmen with three shots on goal in the frame, while sophomore Brendan Yingling, Stear and Blackwood all took a pair of shots. Branch continued to limit the Knights early in the second, making eight saves through the first 12:32. Arcadia got on the scoreboard 12:36 into the period, trimming its deficit to 3-1 on a goal by Brendan Dicker. Lebanon Valley took this two-point lead into the third frame. 

The defenses of both programs continued to limit the opposition early in the third period, as the score was maintained through the first 12 minutes. Branch made a total of 14 saves during the last frame. The Dutchmen also continued to generate scoring chances in the final 20 minutes, as seven players took shots on goal during this span. The Knights attempted to create offensive opportunities as well, recording 15 shots on goal during the third. Arcadia scored with 7:45 left in the game, advancing the score to 3-2 in favor of LVC on a goal by Aaron Hamel. This would stand as the final score, as Lebanon Valley maintained its lead until the clock expired.  

Inside the Box Score

• Stear netted his first career goal just a minute into the game. The junior's first goal came during a power play. 
• Benchich and Blackwood assisted Stear's goal.
• Tolliver scored his first goal of the season during the first period. 
• Davis was credited with the assist on Tolliver's goal.
• Tosto recorded his fourth goal of the year, scoring Lebanon Valley's first short-handed goal of the campaign. 
• The Dutchmen took a total of 34 shots on goal. 
• LVC blocked a total of 26 shot attempts by Arcadia.
• Senior Mac Diver led the program with eight blocked shots. 
• Branch made 34 saves during the contest. 

Up Next 
The Dutchmen will return to action at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, as the program will travel to take on the Knights at Hatfield Ice Arena in Colmar, Pa. 

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