Last weekend, the FGCU Division III hockey team defeated the University of Tampa, 3-1, to win the Southern Collegiate Hockey Conference Championship for the second year in a row.
This victory has earned the club team a bid to the national tournament. The Eagles will carry their 25-1-2 regular season record to Grand Rapids, Michigan in March for the four-day tournament.
“To repeat something is always a good feeling,” head coach Kevin Mixon said. “It’s nice to prove a point and get to play them again and to finish on a high note before we head to nationals.”
Last year, the team, although making it to nationals, did not bring home any titles.
“To get that far and not win is always tough,” Mixon said. “But it allowed the boys to get a taste of what it’s like. I don’t see us being a favorite this year but (the team) knows what it feels like, so they should be able to help the younger guys.”
The team will continue practicing to prepare for the tournament just as they have all season.
“We are trying to keep our normal routine,” Mixon said. “(We) don’t want to change too much because its been working this season. If we don’t have it by this point in the season, then we don’t have it.”
The team, although a variety of ages and experience, has maintained a unified effort all season.
“Everyone’s been able to contribute,” Mixon said. “If you look at our stats, everyone’s within a few points of each other from top to bottom. Our goal tending has been top notch. Everyone has bought in to this system.”