The Dordt Defenders swept the Illinois State Redbirds this afternoon by a score of 11-4. This was the Defenders sixth consecutive sweep and their 13th straight win. The Defenders find themselves with sole possession of first place in the MACHA MD3 Silver Central Division.
The Redbirds struck first with a goal with 9:45 left in the first period. The Defenders answered right back in the first period with 8:39 left off a goal from Mason Carrels, assisted by Connor Raiche and Griffin Lennes.
The Defenders put in their second with 4:26 left in the first period. Griffin Lennes put another goal in, his 18th of the season. Lennes was assisted by Mason Carrels and Ryler Schelle. Illinois State tied it up with just a minute left in the first period and they would enter the first intermission knotted up at two goals apiece.
The second period went 12 minutes with out a goal until the Defenders put one in with 8:45 left in the period. Nate Lorenze scored after passes from Brady Espenson and Andrew Benson. Dordt would score again four minutes later on a power play with 4:22 left in the period. It took just 22 seconds for Jonah Weems to net the next goal for the Defenders. Weems was assisted by Griffin Lennes and Lucas Van Berkel.Dordt worked quick as Griffin Lennes scored the sixth goal of the game with 3:00 left in the second period. Lennes was assisted by Lucas Van Berkel.
The Redbirds would score late in the second period with 30 seconds left.
The Defenders wouldn't let off the gas in the third period. They would score five more goals while just allowing one from Illinois State.Noah Wilmes would score a hat trick in the third period while Jonah Weems and Lucas Van Berkel would each score one more. Isaac Baart, Griffin Lennes, Isaac Bedwell and Brady Espenson would each tally an assist in the final period of play.
Graeme Edmund would notch 29 saves on 33 shots and his record will improve to 10-3-0 while the Defenders record will improve to 16-3-0.
Dordt will take the ice again on January 20 where they will face off against University of Nebraska-Omaha for the second time this season.
