Weekend Recap: Early Season Showdowns and Burning Leaves Tournament Action – September 27-29, 2024

This weekend saw a host of both in-division and exhibition games as teams from across all three divisions showcased their skills and started to fine-tune their lineups. Notably, the Burning Leaves Tournament provided a highlight of the weekend, while other programs squared off in early season contests.

In-Divisional Games:

Purple Division:
Farmingdale State College (DI) kicked off their season with a strong performance, securing a 5-3 victory over Fairfield University (DI) on Saturday night. Both teams displayed their offensive talents, but Farmingdale pulled ahead with key goals to take the win.

Black Division:
The in-divisional games started on Friday night with Columbia University’s dominant 7-3 victory over Ramapo College of New Jersey. Columbia capitalized on their chances early and never looked back.
On Sunday, Sacred Heart University delivered a 2-0 shutout over Fordham University. Sacred Heart's defensive effort and stellar goaltending by James Burtch sealed the win, as Fordham was unable to break through.

Silver Division:
Stevens Institute of Technology edged out Fairfield University (DIII) in a close 4-3 game. Stevens showed resilience, holding on to secure the win in a hard-fought contest.

Exhibitions:

In addition to the in-divisional games, several exhibition matchups took place throughout the weekend.

Burning Leaves Tournament:
Paul Smith’s College (DII, UNYCHL) hosted their Second Annual Burning Leaves Tournament, which featured Jefferson Community College (DIII, UNYCHL), the University of New Haven, Hofstra University, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (CHS, DIII).
In the semifinals, Hofstra University tied Jefferson Community College 3-3 in regulation but came away with a shootout win. Meanwhile, the University of New Haven routed Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a dominant 12-3 victory.
In the tournament finals, the University of New Haven continued their strong form, defeating Hofstra University 9-3 to claim the championship.

Other Exhibition Games:
The weekend saw plenty of other exhibition action. Stony Brook University took down Alvernia University 6-2 on Friday night and followed up with an 8-3 victory over SUNY Maritime College.
The University of Delaware won 7-3 against Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg, while Farmingdale State College (DI) edged Fordham University 3-2 in a close game. Sacred Heart University faced SUNY-Cortland (DI, UNYCHL) but fell 5-3.
On Saturday, Quinnipiac University topped SUNY-Cortland 6-3, and Rutgers University secured a 6-4 victory against the Ramapo College of New Jersey. Columbia University wrapped up their weekend with a 7-5 win over Fairfield University (DIII) on Sunday.

First Goals:

Congratulations to the following players who scored their first career collegiate goals this weekend:

University of New Haven: Michael Madera and Jayden Spreyer
Columbia University: Ronan Robinson
Stony Brook University: Jack Mancini
University of Delaware: Quinn Scribner, Ty Vastola, Jack Diliberto, Joey Afzelius, and Henry Long
Stevens Institute of Technology: Hayden Fitzpatrick
Farmingdale State College (DI): Thomas Ivers
Sacred Heart University: Michael McDermott

Photo Credit: Amanda LaMonda I @alamonda.pics (Instagram)