CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston played the defending National Champion University of Mary tough, but fell 6-2 to the Marauders. The Golden Eagles were within one goal (3-2) heading into the final period, but UMary scored three unanswered to secure the 6-2 victory.

Minnesota Crookston dropped to 15-9-2 (7-3-2 WCCHA) with Friday's loss. UMary improved to 32-5-2 with the win at the Crookston Sports Center.

The Golden Eagles were led by goals from Jackson Fuller (Fr., F, Bloomington, Minn.) and Nathan Huot (Fr., D, Red Lake Falls, Minn.). Logan Syrup (Fr., F, Park River, N.D.), Nikolai Rajala (Fr., F, Coleraine, Minn.), and Gunner Ferrier (So., D, Baudette, Minn.) each had assists for UMN Crookston. The Golden Eagles finished with 34 shots on goal.

In goal, Jared Aamold (Fr., G, Breckenridge, Minn.) made 51 saves and allowed six goals for the game.

UMary had 57 shots on goal for the game. The Marauders were lifted by two goals apiece from Andrew Heckaman and Zach Garrett. Garrett added three assists to his tally. Johnny Witzke and Seth Cushing also scored goals. Drew Lenertz, Tanner Eskro, Alex Flicek, Kyler Moore, and Witzke chipped in assists.

In between the pipes, UMary looked to Kyle Hayden with two goals allowed, and 32 saves.

UMary opened up the scoring with a goal at the 11:11 mark when Heckaman scored off assists from Garrett and Witzke. Just over two minutes later, Cushing scored on the power play, fed by Flicek and Lenertz as the Marauders jumped out to a 2-0 advantage.

Minnesota Crookston responded at the 5:17 mark when Huot rifled one into the net off assists from Ferrier and Syrup.

The Marauders extended the lead to 3-1 at the 4:34 mark of the second period when Garrett scored un assisted. UMN Crookston pulled within 3-2 as Fuller caught the goalie off his post, as Rajala picked up the assist.
UMary pushed the lead to 4-2 at the 14:28 mark when Witzke found the tally off helpers from Moore and Garrett. The Marauders extended the advantage to 5-2 when Heckaman scored off assists from Eskro and Garrett. UMary iced the game 6-2 with an unassisted goal from Garrett.

UMN Crookston will wrap up their season at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 5 against UMary.