HERSHEY, Pa. ­­– Blake Tosto and Brenden Yingling each scored a goal and dished out an assist for the Lebanon Valley College men's ice hockey team, as the program dropped a hard-fought 4-3 contest against Wilkes University on Friday, Jan. 26 at Hersheypark Arena. 

The Colonels opened the scoring 3:18 into the game, taking a 1-0 lead on a goal by Max Cocchi. The Dutchmen then worked to create offensive opportunities throughout the first period, attempting seven shots on goal. Darion Benchich contributed to these efforts, sending the puck toward the net twice. Goaltender Chris Branch also limited the opposition through the remainder of the frame, saving the next 10 shots on goal he faced. 

Wilkes then added a point 2:59 into the second period, taking a 2-0 advantage on a goal by Teague Porter. The programs proceeded to battle defensively for nearly 10 minutes, keeping each other off the scoreboard over this span. During this stretch, Haralds Jirgens, Troy Andrews, and Mason Proskin each tallied shots on goal for LVC. Branch also helped keep the Colonels in check with four more saves.

Lebanon Valley got on the board 12:50 into the second period, trimming its deficit to 2-1. Jered Stevenson got the offense rolling by sending a shot past the goaltender, courtesy of an assist by Harris Blackwood. The Dutchmen went on a power play 25 seconds later and capitalized 13:53 into the frame, tying the contest at 2-2. The program evened the score on a power-play goal by Tosto, following assists by Benchich and Yingling. LVC found the net once more with seven seconds left in the period, taking a 3-2 lead over Wilkes. The squad went ahead on another power-play goal, as Yingling sent the puck into the net after assists by Tosto and Blackwood. 

The programs went back and forth early in the third period, as Lebanon Valley remained in front for over six minutes at the start. Branch helped maintain the advantage with two saves during the first three minutes of the frame. The Colonels resumed the scoring 6:18 into the third, tying the game at 3-3 on a goal by Cam Lowe. 

The Flying Dutchmen also generated offensive chances throughout the period, as Proskin and Tosto each took shots on goal over the next 4:07. Wilkes then scored 14:59 into the third frame, taking a 4-3 advantage on a goal by Jimmy O'Kane. Lebanon Valley continued to battle during the remaining minutes, as Tosto and Yingling both sent the puck toward the net. Ultimately, the score was maintained through the end of the game. 

Inside the Box Score

• Tosto scored his team-leading seventh goal of the season and recorded an assist on Yingling's goal. The senior also led Lebanon Valley with five shots on goal in the contest.
• Yingling netted his fourth goal of the campaign while dishing out an assist on Tosto's goal. 
• Stevenson registered his fourth goal of the season for the Dutchmen. 
• Blackwood was credited with assists on the goals by Stevenson and Yingling. 
• Benchich also assisted Tosto's game-tying goal.
• LVC took 25 shots on goal. 
• The Flying Dutchmen blocked 12 shots during the game. 
• Jackson Legro and Ian Lindberg both blocked a pair of shots.
• Branch made 31 saves. 

Up Next 
The Dutchmen will return to the ice at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, as the program will once again host the Colonels at Hersheypark Arena. 

Stay Connected
Be sure to follow @lvcathletics on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for the most in-depth coverage of LVC Athletics.