WARRIORS CELEBRATE SENIORS IN WEEKEND AGAINST AQUINAS

The Warriors took the time to celebrate seniors Kyle Banks, Connor Maloney, and Ryan Long during their weekend against the Aquinas Saints, highlighting the trio before the weekend's second game. The Warriors fell in both contests, with the home matchup ending by an overtime goal in favor of the Saints, 3-2. 

FIRST GAME - RCU AT AQUINAS - 3-14

The Warriors had a tough go on the road in the first installment of the weekend, with the Saints jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first period after getting off 29 shots. The Warriors' offense was finding ways to retaliate with shots on goal, but things weren't going RCU's way until the second period when Banks scored off an assist by Kyle Hauer. Nine minutes later, the Warriors kept up the momentum with a power play goal by Aidan Baker, who created a shot in traffic thanks to swift passes by Cole Zalewski and Jake Mullins. Unfortunately for RCU, the Saints went on a big scoring run from there, with Baker scoring the Warriors' last goal in the third period. 

SECOND GAME - AQUINAS AT RCU - 3-2 (OT)

Following the senior day celebration, fans were in for a thriller at Big Boy Arena, which initially started as a slow-burner. Aquinas struck first with a goal 11 minutes into the first period. Aside from that goal, Maloney was building up a strong game at the net, saving 13 shots in the first en route to 50 total saves. The second period was a significant opportunity for the Warriors, being put into a power play position halfway through. Mullins continued to showcase his facilitating abilities, helping set up two goals during the power play for Shaun Zatelli and Connor Fredericks-Stebbins. RCU's defense was on lockdown for the entire period, with Maloney saving 19 shots and holding the Saints scoreless. 

The Saints continued to attack and tied the game with 12 minutes remaining. From there, the teams were stuck in a stalemate, with Maloney saving 17 Aquinas attempts. However, RCU couldn't get anything to go on the other end, and the game headed into overtime. In OT, the Saints got off two shot attempts - the second being a goal to end the game in heartbreak for RCU. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors take on the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils, beginning with a 10 p.m. home contest on Friday, Feb. 7. 

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Jaya Forti - Forti's Photos