(LEBANON, Ill., Nov. 19)—Goals were plentiful Saturday at the U.S. Ice Sports Complex as the McKendree University hockey team posted a 15-2 victory over Wheaton College.

 

Three Bearcat players notched a hat trick as McKendree set a season-high in goals in a game. The win was the fourth consecutive triumph for McKendree, which moves to 11-5 on the season. The Bearcats will have 13 days off before hosting Eastern Illinois University Nov. 30 at 8 p.m.

 

Junior center Charlie Donze (Fairview Heights, Ill./Althoff Catholic) (Fairview Heights, Ill./Althoff Catholic) led the way for McKendree with three goals and four assists. Senior center Scott Roberts (Philadelphia, Pa./Bensalem) (Philadelphia, Pa./Bensalem) chipped in with three goals and three assists, while senior wing Nick Dreyer (Waterloo, Ill./Waterloo) (Waterloo, Ill./Waterloo) recorded the other hat trick for the Bearcats. Senior wing Brian Neighbors (Belleville, Ill./Althoff Catholic) (Belleville, Ill./Althoff Catholic) added two goals and an assist in the victory.

 

For the second straight contest, McKendree jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first period. After Wheaton tallied its first goal of the contest just 85 seconds into the second period, the Bearcats ripped off three more scores for an 8-1 advantage. McKendree then exploded for seven goals in the third period.

 

Sophomore Mike Stier (Belleville, Ill./Belleville West) (Belleville, Ill./Belleville) made 31 saves to earn the victory in goal for the Bearcats. Stier moves to 5-4 on the year.