Streak Snapped Against Division I Iona
Kingsmen split on day one of Gary Troyer Tournament
Nathan Ortega has played an instrumental role this season for the Kingsmen. He chipped in with four goals in a pair of games today.
Photo: Tracy MapleCLAREMONT, Calif. – Day one of the 2012 Gary Troyer Tournament started with an offensive explosion by the Kingsmen who defeated Penn State Behrend 20-5, stretching their win-streak to six. Cal Lutheran came back in the afternoon to face Division I Iona, narrowly falling, 14-10.
In the morning CLU jumped out to a 5-1 first quarter lead and built it up to 10-3 halftime advantage. In the third, the Kingsmen shut out the Lions, 7-0, before winning the final frame 3-2 for the 20-5 total, pushing their win-streak to six.
Dejan Novakovic continued his offensive tear with four goals against Penn State Behrend. Both Nathan Ortega and Hunter Hamaker recorded hat-tricks as well, while Mike Potter and Max Zappas each netted a pair.
Ortega drew a game-high five ejections while Novakovic came up with five steals.
In addition to scoring once, Derek Heino tallied four assists and a pair of steals. Cesar Velazquez scored his first collegiate goal in the contest. Overall, 11 different players found the back of the net in the game.
The Kingsmen defensive effort carried over from Thursday afternoon as CLU allowed just over a goal a period. Danny Mock recorded four saves in three quarters of action before Billy Runyon matched Mock’s total in the final frame.
Game two pitted the Kingsmen against the Gaels.
Though the teams were knotted at 3-3 after one period and 5-5 at the intermission, a second half surge by Iona was too much for CLU to overcome.
Novakovic again led the attack with three goals and was the only player for Cal Lutheran to register more than one score.
Mock made three saves in front of the cage for CLU.
Overall, Novakovic finished the day with seven goals, while Ortega tallied four and Zappas had three. Kyle Norheim added one goal in each game today.
Cal Lutheran (8-7) will conclude the Gary Troyer Tournament Saturday, Oct. 6 when they play Washington & Jefferson and UC Irvine at 11:20 a.m. and 3:20 p.m., respectively. Both contests will take place at the La Verne Aquatics Center.