Sacred Heart - FED Claims First-Ever Victory with 8-4 Win Over Yeshiva

Fairfield, CT, December 2, 2024 – Sacred Heart University - FED reached a historic milestone on Sunday night, earning their first win as a program with a commanding 8-4 victory over Yeshiva University. The game was a defining moment for the first-year team, competing in AAU College Hockey’s Federation division.

Sacred Heart’s offense was firing on all cylinders, with forward Benjamin Bajzath leading the way. Bajzath recorded a goal and three assists, solidifying his place as the team’s top scorer with 8 points (3 goals, 5 assists) through three games. The night was also special for four players—Wyatt Shea, Scott Podstupka, Drew Scalice, and Kennedy Bleau—who all scored their first collegiate goals, highlighting the team’s depth and potential.

The victory followed a challenging start to Sacred Heart’s inaugural season. The team faced nationally ranked AAU College Hockey DII opponents in their first two games, suffering a 12-4 loss to Farmingdale State College (ranked 10th) and an 8-2 loss to Fordham University (ranked 18th). Those games served as valuable learning experiences, culminating in Sunday’s breakthrough against Yeshiva, an ACHA M3 opponent.

Sacred Heart’s offensive push began in the first period, with Scalice opening the scoring at 10:12. The second period was pivotal, as the team tallied four more goals, including strikes from Ouellette, Bleau, and Shea. In the third, Sacred Heart continued to dominate, with goals from Alex Sullivan, Podstupka, and Bajzath sealing the victory.

Sacred Heart maintained control of the game by outshooting Yeshiva 67-29. Goaltender Tyler Armagan played a key role, making timely saves to ensure the team’s success.

Now 1-2 on the season, Sacred Heart has yet to face an AAU College Hockey DIII in-conference opponent. Declared non-tournament-bound for their first year, the team is focused on building a strong foundation for the future. Bajzath’s offensive leadership has been complemented by forwards Timothee Ouellette and Benjamin Hepler, both tied for second in team scoring with 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists) in 3 games.

Sacred Heart’s historic win against Yeshiva marks an exciting step forward as they continue to grow and compete in their inaugural season. The team’s resilience and determination promise an exciting future for the program.

The Pioneers will return to action on February 8th, when they take on Stevens Institute of Technology. The ECHC would like to congratulate head coach Steve Minichini on earning his first collegiate win, a milestone in Sacred Heart - FED’s story of growth and success.

Photo Credit: Robert Venice I @shotbyvenice (Instagram)