Waldorf sweeps No. 13 Iowa

By Aaron Schneider

CORALVILLE – The Waldorf College hockey team completed the season sweep over the University of Iowa with a 3-2 win during Saturday’s series finale.

The Warriors (8-6) overcame an early 2-0 deficit to capture a victory over the Hawkeyes (0-8), who earned a No. 13 ranking in the final American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division II Central Region poll last season.

“We responded well after a slow start to finish the weekend strong,” Waldorf coach Brett Shelanski said.

The Warriors received goals from senior Christian Weber, sophomores Buddy Napier and Jeffrey Bartel. Adding assists for Waldorf were Weber, seniors Jacob Bales, Reed Loucks and sophomore Travis Park. Weber, a forward from Charles City, boosted his point total to a team-best six goals and 12 points on the season.

Iowa struck first as Patrick Francis took advantage of a pass from Eric Dsouza during the fifth minute of the opening period.

Bobby Acri helped the Hawkeyes to a two-goal advantage 16 minutes into the first period. Assists came from Nathan Podraza and Ryan Bales.

The Warriors cut the lead to one to close out the first period as they received a power-play goal from Bartel with the help of Loucks and Weber.

Waldorf evened the score three minutes into the second period as Weber capitalized off a pass from Park to convert on a power play.

The Warriors claimed the lead during the ninth minute of the third period as Napier found the back of the net after receiving a pass from Bales.

The Warriors, who own a 2-2 record in the Northern Collegiate Hockey League (NCHL) standings, resume conference play as they host the University of Minnesota-Duluth (2-6, 1-3) next weekend at Albert Lea, Minn. Game times are 7 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday.

“Hopefully, we can take the momentum from this big sweep on the road into a tough conference matchup at home next weekend,” Shelanski said.