Nov. 5, 2006

HERSHEY, Pa. - Mark Van Vliet recorded a hat trick, and handed out three assists for a six-point game as Neumann College defeated Lebanon Valley 10-2 in an ECAC West game Saturday afternoon at the Hershey Park Arena.

Neumann (5-1, 2-0 ECAC West) led 5-1 at the second intermission before outscoring the Flying Dutchmen 5-1 in the third period.

The Knights struck first when Van Vliet scored a power-play goal 1:56 into the contest. LVC junior Jarred Frey tied it up just over four minutes later when he cashed in on a power play for his first goal of the season.

It appeared as if the teams would skate into the first intermission with the game tied 1-1, but Brock Van Slyke had other ideas. The sophomore scored his first goal of the season, with 21 seconds left, to give the Knights a one-goal advantage.

Neumann received three more goals over the middle 20 minutes, as Mike Hedden, Mike Gooch and Mark Van Vliet scored one each to give the Knights a 5-1 lead going into the third period.

The Knights extended their lead 7-1 after scoring two goals in the first four minutes of play. Neumann's Ryan Heickert scored the Knights' six goal of the night while Jeff Knuttle added the seventh just 43 seconds later.  

Mark Van Vliet recorded his first hat-trick of the season with a quick shot at the 12:54 mark. Sean Cryer and Matt Ward were credited with the assist.  

Kyle Casey scored his ninth goal of the season and Donavon Hall finished the night with his second goal of the season at 19:19.

Brett Leonhardt stopped 15 shots for Neumann while Aaron Miller made 44 saves for Lebanon Valley.

The Knights return to action on Friday, when they visit Utica College at 7:00 p.m.

Neumann            2  3  5  -  10
Lebanon Valley  1  0  1  -  2

FIRST PERIOD
N - Mark Van Vliet (Charles Paterson, Sean Cryer), ppg, 1:56
LV - Jarred Frey (Ryan Merritt, Matt Rowe), ppg, 6:09
N - Brock Van Slyke (Mark Van Vliet, Matt Ward), 19:39
SECOND PERIOD
N - Mike Hedden (Neil Trimm, Kyle Casey), ppg, 3:17
N - Mike Gooch (Jesse Cole, Mark Van Vliet), 4:49
N - Mark Van Vliet (Sean Cryer, Matt Ward), ppg, 17:14
THIRD PERIOD
N - Ryan Heickert (John Giacobbo, Donovan Hall), 2:30
N - Jeff Nuttall (Peter Vaisanen), 3:13
LV - Andy Orsini (Sean Wilson), shg, 4:36
N - Mark Van Vliet (Sean Cryer, Matt Ward), 12:54
N - Kyle Casey (Mark Van Vliet, Neil Trimm), ppg, 16:01
N - Donovon Hall (Josh Jacobs), 19:19

Shots: Neumann 54. Lebanon Valley 17.
Saves: Neumann (Brett Leonhardt) 15. Lebanon Valley (Aaron Miller) 44.
Penalties: Neumann 6 for 12. Lebanon Valley 10 for 20.
Power Plays: Neumann 4 for 8. Lebanon Valley 1 for 4.
Team Records: Neumann 5-1, 2-0 ECAC West. Lebanon Valley 0-3, 0-2 ECAC West.