(LEBANON, Ill., Sept. 23)—Despite a big offensive outburst by senior wing Nic Rolla (O'Fallon, IL/O'Fallon), the McKendree University hockey team could not hold off the host Illinois State Redbirds on Saturday in Bloomington, Ill.
 
Rolla tallied all four of McKendree's goals in the contest, but Illinois State came away with the 5-4 victory over the Bearcats. McKendree and Illinois State split their weekend series, and the Bearcats are now 1-1 on the year.
 
McKendree will not play again until Friday, Oct. 5, when the Bearcats will play host to the St. Louis Blues Alumni team in a contest to be held at the U.S. Ice Sports Complex in Fairview Heights. Faceoff for the exhibition contest is set for 7:30 p.m.
 
Rolla began his big night by netting a hat trick in the first period. After Illinois State grabbed an early 1-0 lead, Rolla tied the contest just over six minutes into the stanza. The Icebirds quickly regained the lead until Rolla scored twice in the later stages of the period to push the Bearcats back in front, 3-2. Senior center J. David Coleman (Budapest, Hungary/Fort Zumwalt West) assisted on the last two tallies by Rolla in the opening period.
 
Illinois State took control in the second period, scoring three times to grab the lead for good at 5-3. Rolla answered with his final goal of the contest with just 3:29 remaining off a pass from junior center Carlos Galvan (Mulvane, KS/Mulvane). But the host Icebirds were able to hold on for the win.
 
Nathan Campo (Westmont, IL/Downers Grove South) stopped 31 of 36 shots by Illinois State in taking the loss in goal for McKendree.