(LEBANON, Ill., Oct. 21)--The McKendree University hockey team opened up a six-game home stand on Friday with a 6-2 loss at the hands of Iowa State University. The contest was held at the East Alton Ice Arena in East Alton, Ill.

Senior wings Nic Rolla (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon) and Derek Sallee (Highland, IL/Highland) each tallied goals in the contest for McKendree, which dropped to 1-2 with the loss. The Bearcats and Cyclones wrap up their weekend series Saturday night in East Alton. Faceoff is set for 9:15 p.m.

McKendree trailed 1-0 in the final minute of the first period, when Rolla tied the game with 40 seconds on the clock. Senior center J. David Coleman (Budapest, Hungary/Fort Zumwalt West) had the assist on Rolla's goal.

Iowa State grabbed a 2-1 lead in the second period before the Bearcats rallied once again. Sallee knotted the score at 2-2 midway through the final period, with assists credited to Rolla and senior defenseman Matt Seelbach. But the visiting Cyclones pulled away by scoring the final four goals of the night to seal the victory.

Senior Nathan Campo (Westmont, IL/Downers Grove South) started in goal for McKendree.