The Dordt Defender hockey team secured a dramatic overtime win over Michigan State in its final pool play contest and ended its 2024-25 season on a winning note with a 4-3 victory in Missouri on Thursday, March 20.
Box Score (PDF)
Dordt struck quickly with a
Mason Carrels goal off an assist by Chris Janssen at the 6:36 mark for a 1-0 lead and
Rylan Veenstra put Dordt up 2-0 with just over six minutes left in the second period with
Reuben Horneman getting credit for the assist.
Michigan State countered with a goal 11:14 into the third period as the Spartans finally got a shot by
Isaiah Van Noord who had turned away 30 shots in the first two periods to carry the shutout into the final 20 minutes. Another goal two minutes later tied the score and Michigan State took the lead with just under three minutes left in regulation.
Dordt pulled Van Noord and with an extra skater Zach Espensen tied the game with less than a minute remaining off an assist by Veenstra.
Through regulation Michigan State had a 46-38 shots advantage and Dordt unlocked the tie with a Veenstra goal 9:48 into overtime to give Dordt the win and spoiled Michigan State's hopes of advancing out of pool play.
Dordt had an 8-7 shots advantage in the extra period and Michigan State managed a 53-45 overall advantage with Dordt's Van Noord recording 50 saves.
The Defenders close their season 24-6-1. Both Michigan State and Dordt finished pool play with 1-2 records and this was Dordt's first trip to the National Tournament since 2010.
COACH TYLER MORGAN SAYS
An awesome way for our team to finish the season. Very proud of the way our boys battled throughout the tournament. Our first trip down here, it was important to experience how high the compete level is. For us to keep working and finish the tournament with an OT win was exactly what we needed to give us the push to come back next season.
It's been a grind this season, but I could not be more proud of our team and what they overcame with missing so many guys off our opening night roster. The future is bright for our Defender Hockey program.
THE NUMBERS
Michigan State 53-45 shots advantage.
Dordt struck quickly with a Mason Carrels goal off an assist by Chris Janssen at the 6:36 mark for a 1-0 lead and Rylan Veenstra put Dordt up 2-0 with just over six minutes left in the second period with Reuben Horneman getting credit for the assist.
Michigan State countered with a goal 11:14 into the third period as the Spartans finally got a shot by Isaiah Van Noord who had turned away 30 shots in the first two periods to carry the shutout into the final 20 minutes. Another goal two minutes later tied the score and Michigan State took the lead with just under three minutes left in regulation.
Dordt pulled Van Noord and with an extra skater Zach Espensen tied the game with less than a minute remaining off an assist by Veenstra.
Through regulation Michigan State had a 46-38 shots advantage and Dordt unlocked the tie with a Veenstra goal 9:48 into overtime to give Dordt the win and spoiled Michigan State's hopes of advancing out of pool play.
Dordt had an 8-7 shots advantage in the extra period and Michigan State managed a 53-45 overall advantage with Dordt's Van Noord recording 50 saves.
The Defenders close their season 24-6-1. Both Michigan State and Dordt finished pool play with 1-2 records and this was Dordt's first trip to the National Tournament since 2010.
Dordt LeadersÂ
Rylan Veenstra | 2 goals | 1 assist
Zach Espenson | 1 goal
Mason Carrels | 1 goal
Reuben Horneman | 1 assist
Chris Jansen | 1 assist
Andrew Benson | 1 assist
Isaiah Van Noord | 50 saves
