(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 18)—The McKendree University hockey team kicked off its 2008-09 season with a 10-5 loss Saturday night on the road against the University of Missouri.

The Bearcats led 2-1 after the first period but could not hold off the offensive explosion by the Tigers over the final two periods. McKendree is now 0-1 on the season.

Junior center Charlie Donze (Fairview Heights, Ill./Althoff Catholic) (Fairview Heights, Ill./Althoff Catholic) led the McKendree offense with two goals, while senior center Scott Roberts (Philadelphia, Pa./Bensalem) (Philadelphia, Pa./Bensalem) chipped in with a goal and an assist. Roberts scored the Bearcats' first goal of 2008-09 just 1:37 into the contest on the power play.

Freshman wing J. David Coleman (Budapest, Hungary/Fort Zumwalt West) (Greenville, Ill./Fort Zumwalt West) handed out three assists, while sophomore wing Dan Pettibone (Webster Groves, Mo./Webster Groves) (Webster Groves, Mo./Webster Groves) added two for McKendree. Senior wing Nick Dreyer (Waterloo, Ill./Waterloo) (Waterloo, Ill./Waterloo) and junior wing Nick Smothers (Waterloo, Ill./Waterloo) scored the other McKendree goals in the contest.

Junior Mike Stier (Belleville, Ill./Belleville West) (Belleville, Ill./Belleville West) had 32 saves in goal for McKendree.

-McK-