JANESVILLE, WI – In a clash defined by defensive resilience and elite goaltending, the Beloit College Buccaneers (4-17-1, 1-11-0 WIAC) displayed immense heart at the Woodman's Sports & Convention Center this evening. Despite a relentless offensive barrage from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (10-10-2, 5-6-1 WIAC), the Buccaneers remained competitive until the final whistle, eventually falling 3-0 in a hard-fought non-conference matchup.
The story of the night was undoubtedly Beloit goaltender Andrew Yocum (St. Louis, MO). Facing a staggering 56 shots on goal from the Pointers, Yocum turned in one of the most impressive performances of the season. He stopped 15 shots in the first period, a career-defining 27 in the second, and 11 in the third. His 53 total saves kept the Buccaneers within striking distance for nearly the entire game, frustrating one of the most active offenses in the region.
Beloit entered the first intermission in a 0-0 deadlock. Despite being outshot 15-3, the defensive unit, led by Trey Taylor (Abbotsford, BC), who recorded a team-high six blocked shots, sacrificed their bodies to keep the crease clear. This scoreless opening frame provided Beloit with a massive wave of momentum, proving they could skate with the high-powered Pointers.
The middle frame saw a flurry of whistles, with Beloit forced to kill off three different power plays. While Stevens Point eventually broke the ice at the 10:25 mark with a goal from Gabe Randel, the Buccaneers' penalty kill was exceptional. Players like Sam Holy (Chicago, IL) and Josh Gulden (New Ulm, MN) (three blocks each) were instrumental in neutralizing the Pointers' man-advantage, keeping the score at a manageable 1-0 heading into the final period.
As the third period began, Beloit looked to shift the momentum toward the offensive zone. The Buccaneers found a second wind, doubling their shot production from the previous period. Joe Weber (Rochester, NY) and J.D. Shoniker (Burlington, ON) were catalysts in the circle, winning 57.1% and 66.7% of their faceoffs respectively, allowing Beloit to establish possession.
A late-game push saw Ben Stewart (Dayton, OH) and Zach Hutchinson (West Salem, WI) test WSP's Ryan Maguire, but the Pointers' defense held firm. Stevens Point managed to add two insurance goals at 04:04 and 09:15 of the third, but the scoreline didn't fully reflect the pressure Beloit applied during their late-game surges.
The Buccaneers and Pointers meet again tomorrow evening to close out the season series. Puck drop from the Woodman's Center is set for 7 pm.
