PITTSBURGH, Pa. - On Saturday the Cougars (5-2) completed their non-conference schedule when they hosted the Hood Blazers (5-3). The teams combined for the lowest combined scoring game by either team all season as the Cougars held on to a 6-4 victory.


The Cougars got the scoring started when Jacob Lubawy scored his seventh goal of the season nearly three minutes into the game. That was the only scoring until, with less than a minute left in the quarter, the Blazers committed a three minute non-releaseable penalty. The Cougars capitalized on the opportunity when Sean Creeden cashed in off the Thomas Whitaker assist. That sent the game to the second quarter with the Cougars leading 2-0.


In the second quarter, the Cougars added two more man-up goals. First it was Jacob Lubawy scoring his second goal of the game, this time assisted by Erik Sahlgren, to break the ten goal threshold on the season. Thomas Whitaker then scored his 25th goal of the season also assisted by Sahlgren to put the Cougars ahead 4-0. That looked like it might be the halftime score until the Blazers were able to get their first goal of the game with under a minute to play in the half. That was all either team could muster as the halftime score was 4-1 in favor of the Cougars.


Jacob Lubawy completed his hat trick with the lone third quarter goal giving the Cougars their second four goal lead of the game with 12 minutes left in the quarter. It was then nearly 20 minutes of action before there was another goal. The Blazers broke the drought cutting the Cougars lead back to three. That only lasted for 50 seconds before Thomas Whitaker scored his second goal of the day, 26th of the season, assisted by Owen Millar. That put the Cougars once again ahead by four and would be the extent of the scoring for the Cougars. The Blazers scored a pair of goals afterwards but when the clock ran out the Cougars were running with the ball and a 6-4 victory.


The Cougars were led offensively by the duo of Jacob Lubawy (3G) and Thomas Whitaker (2G 1 A) who each recorded three points. Erik Sahlgren was the only other Cougar with more than one point, two assists. Sean Creeden (1G) and Owen Millar (1A) also scored for the Cougars. Jack Neal had a game high 10 ground balls while Jesse Corser-James had a game high five caused turnovers. James Cipollone recorded his fifth in of the season making eight saves and recording a .667 save rate. Cody Randal went 10-13 on face offs while the Cougars converted on 21-22 clear attempts.


The Cougars will be back in action on Wednesday March 25th when they travel to Washington, Pa. for a 7 PM start against W&J.