Box Score
HAMBURG, NY – In a much anticipated NEAC match, Medaille College withstood a furious Hilbert College 4th quarter rally to win in overtime, 20-19. Brock Levick became the hero for the Mavericks when it seemed that Hilbert was in position to capture win. The Hawks dropped to 7-4 overall and 3-2 in league, while Medaille improved to 8-5 (5-2 NEAC).
Hilbert dominated the play late in the game as they outshot Medaille 42 to 18 in the second half. The Hawks stormed back from a 19-11 deficit to force an overtime period by winning 70% of the face-offs in the fourth quarter. The Hawks had several shots on frame in the 4-minute overtime; a few hit the post and a few more were wide or high. Medaille’s Levick carried the ball from behind the goal fighting off defenders to sneak the ball past William Wagner, who finished with six saves for the day.
The second period could be called the Medaille segment, where the four quarter belonged to Hilbert. Otherwise, the game was even in the first and third. The Mavericks outscored Hilbert 8-3 just before half to carry a 13-7 lead into intermission. The third quarter scoring was even (3-3) before the Hawks turned up their pressure offensively, outscoring Medaille 8-2 as they headed to the sudden death, extra period.
Sean Purtill, the NEAC three-peat Player of the Week (4/22), lead all players with 9 points. He assisted on six Hilbert goals while netting three of his own. Ryan Wagner penetrated off 13 of his face-off wins, going one-on-one with the keeper to add 5 scores (2 assists). Brendan Kane chipped in 5 tallies along with Doug Takac’s 4.
Roland Jimerson was credited with 5 forced turnovers and Sean Manning picked up 4 ground balls.
Up next for Hilbert is an away game on Saturday at SUNYIT, before they return to Hamburg for their last game of the season against Wells College. The Wells game was rescheduled from Thursday to Sunday.
The top four teams move on into the NEAC play-offs which begin May 1st. Link here to the NEAC website