The FGCU Division II club hockey team closed out the weekend with a sweep to maintain an undefeated record of 4-0. The Eagles beat the University of Iowa Hawkeyes with a final score of 9-1 on Friday, Oct. 3, and 8-1 on Saturday, Oct. 4, at Hertz Arena.
These wins follow two victories from the previous weekend’s home opener against Liberty University.
The Eagles had a strong start on Friday, with two goals scored in the opening period from Jaiz Barner and Colin Anna to put the score at 2-0 to end the first.
Shayne Tomlinson put up another goal for the Eagles in the second period, but the Hawkeyes quickly countered with a goal from Logan Corneil. FGCU freshman Trey Wandall scored his first goal of the season. Cole Bauman had the last goal of the second period, which made it 5-1 for the Eagles.
FGCU continued to extend its lead in the third with four goals from Barner, James Tilley, Chad Noetzel, and Wandall.
Keegan Wise held the net for FGCU with 20 saves. FGCU outshot Iowa 38-21 throughout the game.
The Blue and Green continued to dominate with another 8-1 win on Saturday.
FGCU’s Tomlinson and Noetzel recorded back-to-back goals on power-play opportunities to start the second game of the weekend. Barner and forward Jake Court continued the goal streak for the Eagles in the first, ending the period at 4-0.
In the second period, defender Brian Raffone put one in the net for Iowa. FGCU followed with another goal by Barner.
The Eagles continued to build their lead in the third. Wandall opened the period with his third goal of the weekend. FGCU captain Jordan Comilla scored his first goal of the season, followed by assistant captain Adam Beauvais with a goal on the power play.
FGCU freshman goalie Kai Girard played his first game for the Eagles and made 22 saves throughout the night. The Eagles went three of four on the power play and were perfect on the penalty kill.
The Eagles will take on the University of Utah Utes at Hertz Arena on Oct. 10 and 11. The Utes currently have a 1-1 record with an 11-2 win against Utah Valley University and a 2-1 loss to Weber State University.
