(CHARLESTON, Ill., Sept. 26)—The McKendree University hockey team won its second match in a row with a 7-4 decision Friday on the road against Eastern Illinois University.

Junior defenseman Chris Donahue (Levittown, Pa./Truman) (Levittown, Pa./Truman) notched a hat trick, while junior center Charlie Donze (Fairview Heights, Ill./Althoff Catholic) (Fairview Heights, Ill./Althoff Catholic) scored a pair of third-period goals – including the game-winner – as the Bearcats improved to 2-1 on the season. McKendree and Eastern Illinois will meet again Saturday to wrap up the weekend.

Donahue scored twice in the first period to help the Bearcat out to a 2-1 lead. The host Panthers grabbed a 3-2 advantage early in the second period before freshman wing Jordan Donze (Fairview Heights, Ill./Althoff Catholic) (Fairview Heights, Ill./Althoff Catholic) scored an unassisted goal to help McKendree tie the game at 3-3. Less than a minute later, Donahue finished off his hat trick off an assist from junior wing Zach Crawford (Springfield, Ill./Pleasant Plains) (Springfield, Ill./Pleasant Plains) to push the Bearcats back in front, 4-3.

Eastern Illinois tied the game moments later, and the teams were deadlocked heading into the third period. Charlie Donze (Fairview Heights, Ill./Althoff Catholic) scored the first of his two goals at the 8:43 mark of the third period to put the Bearcats in front to stay. Freshman wing Nick Smothers (Waterloo, Ill./Waterloo) then tallied for McKendree before Donze netted his second goal of the final stanza.

-McK-