STEUBENVILLE, Ohio - On Saturday, the Cougars (12-3, 7-1 PAC) took on the Franciscan Barons (7-8, 4-4) in their final road game of the regular season. The Cougars, like they have done most of the season, took control of the game in the first quarter and played a stifling defense that held the Barons to a maximum of three goals in a quarter. The Cougars flew away with the game winning by a final score of 26-7. With today's win the Cougars have also locked up the #2 seed in the PAC Tournament and will receive a first round bye.

The Cougars instantly jumped out front when Thomas Whitaker scored his first of nine goals on the day, just 30 seconds into the game. The Barons answered back with an equalizing goal not long later. That would be the last time the outcome of this game was in question. The Cougars scored the next three goals to take a 4-1 lead. The goals included a pair just six seconds apart. The Barons got one more in the first quarter, but the Cougars offense went on another run in response. The Cougars went on a 4-0 run that crossed into the second quarter. Whitaker completed his first quarter hat trick once again. Despite the Barons scoring their third goal of the game midway through the second quarter, the Cougars still held an 8-3 lead. That was followed by a pair of Cougars goals just 40 seconds apart, including Sean Creeden scoring on his own rebound for his second goal of the day. The Barons refused to be fully put away as they answered with one more before halftime. The Cougars were all good heading into halftime though, up 10-4.

The third quarter is where the Cougars pulled away and sealed the game outsourcing the Barons 10-0 in the quarter. Thomas Whitaker scored the first four goals of the half, raising his game total to eight. During the third quarter, Timothy Mackay scored his second goal of his career. The dominance continued into the fourth quarter where the Cougars scored the first five goals of the quarter. That included Thomas Whitaker scoring his ninth goal of the game, tying the single game goal record that he set in the game against Hiram earlier this week. The Barons offense finally found the back of the net, breaking a 25 minute dry spell. The Cougars answered back with one final goal, before the Barons scored the final two. That gave the Cougars a comfortable 26-7 victory.

The Cougars were led offensively by Thomas Whitaker's single game record 11 points (9G 2A). Jacob Lubawy recorded four points (3G 1A) and was the only other player to record a hat trick. Cody Randal recorded a team high 15 ground balls while going 29-of-34 on face offs. There were eight Cougars to record a caused turnover. The Cougars completed 18-of-22 clear attempts and held the Barons to just 17-of-29 on clear attempts. James Cipollone spent the whole game in net for the Cougars making nine saves and recording a .563 save rate.

The Cougars will be back in action on April 22nd when they wrap up the regular season with a 7PM scheduled start against the Bethany Bison at home.