The University of Richmond Spiders picked up an impressive 6–4 victory over George Mason on Friday night, responding to a 5–1 loss to the Patriots ju…
The University of Richmond Spiders picked up an impressive 6–4 victory over George Mason on Friday night, responding to a 5–1 loss to the Patriots just a couple of weeks earlier.
The rematch featured two high quality hockey teams trading chances throughout the night. With back-and-forth action from the opening puck drop, neither team made things easy, but the Spiders found a way to come out on top.
Sophomore Ryan Hicks led the offensive charge, scoring three goals before adding an empty-netter with less than 20 seconds remaining to seal the 6–4 victory. Senior Nate Landry was once again solid between the pipes, backstopping the Spiders to another win.
While Hicks grabbed the headlines, Friday's result was very much a team effort. Seniors AJ Lavigne and Mikey Toole, along with freshmen Ollie Manning, Carter Free, and Gavin Code, were among those making their presence felt throughout the night.
Assistant Coach Troy Bischoff had this to say about the team's overall performance: "I could probably name every kid on the roster who played Friday night and point to something they contributed to the win. That's what stood out to me. From the first line through the fourth, everybody found a way to make an impact. Not all of those things show up on the scoresheet. That's what it takes to beat a good hockey team, and I was proud of the way the entire group competed."
The win also comes at an important time for the Spiders as they look ahead to next weekend's ACCHL Mid-Season Tournament. Richmond will face a demanding three-game stretch, opening against UNC Charlotte on Friday, followed by Kutztown on Saturday and Georgetown on Sunday. The victory over George Mason provides some positive momentum heading into a busy weekend of league play, where the Spiders will have an opportunity to continue building on their recent performance.