Anna Bialkowski & Beatrice Fleurant
The Southern Editors
The Florida Southern College Men’s Ice Hockey team kicked off their season against Embry-Riddle on Sept. 20 and Sept. 21, with a 5-1 win and 9-2 loss, respectively. This is the first season that the Mocs will compete in Division II for men’s ice hockey.
The Mocs started their first game strongly with sophomore Will Marshall scoring a goal assisted by Jonathan Burkhart and Michael Woll in the first period. The second and third periods had two goals by Woll and the game-winning goal by Marshall.
Despite a valiant effort on home ice the next night, the Mocs had a tough time keeping the net empty on the second. Freshman Colton Widen scored a goal for the Mocs in the first period, followed by Marshall in the second, ending with a final loss of 9-2.
Looking into the upcoming season, the Mocs are ready to leave a lasting impact by focusing mentally since joining the DII league. Senior Matthew Fromer explains that in his last season of college hockey, he wants to just enjoy the game.
“My personal goal this season is to truly just enjoy the game,” Fromer said. “My whole life playing hockey, I would always care about the outcome too much and put too much stress on myself … when I play better when I’m out there enjoying the game.”
Freshman TJ Tilghman echoes Fromer’s remarks, saying that overthinking can kill focus out on the ice.
“Mentally, I’m just trying to not overthink [the game] and treat it like any other team I’ve played for,” Tilghman said.
New coming goalie Vincent Simonian both value the importance of working their way up on the team and earning the respect of their fellow teammates throughout the season.
“I personally want to make an impact on the ice, and be a freshman that contributes,” Simonian said.
Tilghman agreed.
“As a freshman, I’m honestly just trying to earn my place and gain a role on the team,” Tilghman said. “I’m looking forward to gaining experience from the upperclassmen who have been around for a while.”
Aside from the new excitement, Marshall stands his ground and says that even though the team has advanced into DII, nothing much will change with the team’s dynamic.
“I don’t think there is any change for the dynamic of the team going into DII,” Marshall said. “We’ll just continue to play how we played last year and I think we’ll have success.”
The Mocs will continue their season playing against University of Central Florida on Sept. 27 and 28, and against Lynn University on Oct. 5 and 6, with a home game located at the Lakeland Ice Arena on Sept. 27 at 8 p.m.
