(LEBANON, Ill., Feb. 4) - The McKendree University men's D3 hockey team defeated Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville by a final score of 8-1 on senior day, Saturday afternoon at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex. 

The Bearcats improve to 17-3 and hold the No. 1 spot in the Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA) Bronze Division rankings.  

McKendree opened the scoring in the first period on a power play goal by freshman forward Derek Northrop, with an assist from freshman forward Garrett Poole. Freshman forward Nick Nelson added to the lead with 4:37 remaining in the first period. The first period closed with the Bearcats leading the Cougars 2-0.  

The Bearcats added three goals in the second period with goals from senior defenseman Brent Feltes and freshman forwards Adam Dempski and Dalton Wolfe. McKendree held a 5-0 lead after two periods. Freshman forward Tony Grasso struck first in the third period to increase the McKendree lead to six. Freshman defenseman Riley Brown and freshman forward Dalton Kress each netted another goal to give McKendree the 8-0 lead. The Cougars were able to sneak a goal in with 15 seconds remaining in the contest but it was too little too late. The Bearcats earned the 8- 1 win on Saturday afternoon. 

Junior goaltender Zach Allen stopped 25 of 26 shots on goal in the contest. The Bearcats are back in action in Peoria, Ill at the Owens Center for MACHA post-season action on February 9-10.