The Dordt Defender hockey team qualified for the ACHA Division III National Championship field with a tense 2-0 win over Nebraska-Omaha on Monday morning, February 23 in Chesterfield, Missouri.

The Defenders broke the scoreless tie when Mason Spejcher went wide and passed back to Zach Espenson, who finished in the crease for a 1-0 lead with 15:13 left in the game. Tegan Doelman was credited with the second assist on the play. Dordt then withstood sustained pressure by Nebraska-Omaha, and Tim Nanson turned away several shots to keep the difference at 1-0.

The Mavericks pulled their goalie for a skater advantage, and it was Spejcher who scored into the open net with just under a minute left to seal the win off an assist by Doelman.

Nebraska-Omaha held a 40-38 shots advantage, but Nanson was perfect in goal with 40 saves. He was named the MVP of the tournament after earning three wins and recording 91 saves while facing 93 shots over those victories. It was Nanson's eighth shutout of the season, and the win avenged a pair of losses by Dordt to the Mavericks in mid-January.

Dordt advances to the ACHA Division III National Tournament with the victory. The event begins March 11 in St. Louis, Missouri. It is the second straight MACHA Tournament Championship for the Defenders.

THE NUMBERS
Zach Espenson | 1goal
Mason Spejcher | 1goal | 1assist
Tegan Doelman | 2assists
Tim Nanson | 40 saves