COLMAR, Pa. – The Arcadia University men's ice hockey team closed out the 2025-26 season at home with a 4-1 setback to Stevenson University. The Knights finish the year with a 9-13-3 overall record and a 6-12-3 mark in conference play.
Matthew Verspeeten accounted for Arcadia's lone goal, scoring on the power play in the second period off assists from Brendan Dicker and Grant Burback. After falling behind 3-0 in the opening period, the Knights responded with the only goal of the second to cut the deficit to 3-1 heading into the final frame. With time winding down, Arcadia pulled its goaltender for an extra attacker, but Stevenson capitalized with an empty-net goal to secure the 4-1 decision.
Ryan Burgess made his final career start between the pipes and delivered a strong performance, recording 38 saves while allowing three goals. Late in the third period, after heading to the bench for the extra attacker, Burgess needed to scramble back toward the goal following a neutral-zone turnover and made a diving stop at the last second to prevent what would have been an early empty-net goal.
Arcadia controlled the faceoff circle, winning 29 of 56 draws. Brendan Dicker and Cody Mastay each secured nine faceoff victories. The Knights converted one of their two power-play opportunities and successfully killed both Stevenson power plays.
The evening also marked a historic milestone for the program, as Connor Williams became the first player in team history to appear in 100 career games.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Burgess turned aside Stevenson's first shot of the game. Despite early attempts from Michael Benkovitz, Grant Burback, and Jared Shuter, the Mustangs struck first, taking a 1-0 lead just 3:50 into the contest.
• Stevenson doubled its advantage a little more than three minutes later to make it 2-0.
• The Mustangs added a third goal with just over a minute remaining in the first period to carry a 3-0 lead into the intermission.
• In the second period, Arcadia increased its offensive pressure. After drawing a penalty, Verspeeten netted his fifth goal of the season on the power play, finishing a setup from Dicker and Burback to cut the deficit to 3-1.
• Verspeeten's tally was the only goal of the period, sending the Knights into the third trailing by two.
• Arcadia pressed for an equalizer in the final period but could not break through. Stevenson sealed the win with an empty-net goal in the closing minutes.
KNIGHT LEADERS
Goals: Verspeeten (1)
Assists: Dicker (1), Burback (1)
Points: Verspeeten (1), Dicker (1), Burback (1)
Blocked Shots: Russ Tedesco (4), Connor Williams (3), Zach Biniaris (3)
Saves: Burgess (38)
UP NEXT
The 2025-26 season concludes for the Knights.
#DefendTheCastle
