BROCKPORT, N.Y. – The Stevenson University men's ice hockey team opened its 2026-27 season with a 4-2 victory over SUNY Brockport on Friday evening at Wegmans Ice Arena. Four different Mustangs found the back of the net, while goaltender Louis Finnegan turned aside 29 shots to help Stevenson secure its first win of the season.
Stevenson wasted little time establishing its offensive presence, breaking through at the 3:01 mark of the opening period. Jack Day netted the Mustangs' first goal of the season off an assist from Keenan Schneider, giving Stevenson an early 1-0 advantage.
The Mustangs carried their one-goal lead into the second period, as both teams battled through a scoreless 20 minutes of action. Despite several scoring opportunities and multiple power-play chances for Brockport, Stevenson remained in control behind a strong defensive effort and timely saves from Finnegan.
Stevenson extended its lead early in the third period when Kasper Pohjala found the back of the net at the 4:33 mark, capitalizing on assists from Day and Logan Gallagher to double the Mustangs' advantage to 2-0.
Less than a minute later, Carson Galin added to the Mustangs' momentum with a short-handed goal at the 5:27 mark. Matt Gough picked up the assist on the play, pushing Stevenson's lead to 3-0.
Brockport responded at the 8:37 mark as they scored to put the Golden Eagles on the board and cut the deficit to 3-1. The hosts continued to apply pressure, capitalizing on a power-play opportunity at the 14:10 mark when they scored to bring Brockport within one, 3-2.
With the Golden Eagles threatening the comeback, Stevenson answered in the closing minutes. Makai Tarjamo delivered the Mustangs' fourth goal at the 18:32 mark off an assist from Gough, sealing the 4-2 victory.
Finnegan anchored the Mustangs defensively, finishing with 29 saves and a .935 save percentage. Gough led Stevenson with two assists, while Day contributed a goal and an assist for a two-point performance. Jackson Rutherford made his presence felt defensively, recording a team-high seven blocked shots.
Stevenson finished the contest with 30 shots on goal. The Mustangs also held the Golden Eagles to one power-play goal on seven opportunities and recorded a short-handed tally in the season-opening victory.
The Mustangs return to action tomorrow when they will travel to Nazareth for a 4 p.m. puck drop.
