(PEORIA, Ill., Oct. 8)—McKendree University dropped a 6-4 hockey decision Saturday afternoon on the road against Robert Morris University-Peoria. The match was played at the Owens Center.
 
The Bearcats overcame a 3-0 deficit to tie the contest late in the second period, but a trio of third-period goals by the host Eagles proved to be the difference. McKendree will head to Midland, Mich., for three games at the Seth Schupan Memorial Classic. The Bearcats will open with a contest against Northwood University on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
 
Against Robert Morris-Peoria, junior with Nic Rolla (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon) scored twice and had an assist, while sophomore center Dylan Mueth (New Baden, IL/Belleville East) (New Baden, Ill./Belleville East) chipped in with a goal and two assists. Senior center J. David Coleman (Budapest, Hungary/Fort Zumwalt West) (Budapest, Hungary/Fort Zumwalt West) handed out three assists for McKendree in the contest.
 
Robert Morris-Peoria scored three times in the first period before McKendree tied the match in the second period. Mueth scored midway through the period to put the Bearcats on the scoreboard. Junior wing Derek Sallee (Highland, IL/Highland) (Highland, Ill./Highland) helped cut the deficit to 3-2 with just 2:10 left in the stanza before Rolla's first goal of the afternoon knotted the score with just 19 seconds remaining in the period.
 
The Eagles answered with three unanswered goals to regain a 6-3 lead. Rolla scored on the power play with 2:43 to go, bringing the Bearcats back within 6-4. But Robert Morris-Peoria held off the Bearcats' late rally to complete the weekend sweep.
 
Junior Nathan Campo (Westmont, IL/Downers Grove South) (Westmont, Ill./Downers Grove South) registered 39 saves in goal for McKendree.