(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 30)--The McKendree University hockey team grabbed its first win of the 2011-12 season with a 3-1 victory late Friday night at Iowa State University.

Graduate defenseman Nick Smothers, junior wing Nic Rolla (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) and sophomore center/wing Dylan Mueth (New Baden, IL/Belleville East) each scored a goal in helping the Bearcats even their record at 1-1 on the year. Smothers added an assist in the victory, as did sophomore wing Josh Hasamear (Collinsville, IL/Althoff Catholic) and senior center J. David Coleman (Budapest, Hungary/Fort Zumwalt West).

Smothers put the Bearcats in front 1-0 midway through the first period off a pass from Coleman on a power-play opportunity. After a scoreless second period, McKendree extended its lead to 2-0 three minutes into the third period on a goal by Mueth with assists going to Hasamear and Smothers. The Cyclones pulled within  2-1 moments later before an unassisted goal from Rolla provided an insurance tally for the Bearcats.

Junior Nathan Campo (Westmont, IL/Downers Grove South) had a busy night in goal for McKendree, stopping 54 of 55 Cyclone shots to earn his first victory of the season.

McKendree and Iowa State will play again Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. in Ames, Iowa.