Eagles Take Game One of Florida Series

David Finney

Babson Park, FL - The Eagles have had a long stretch after winning their first game against SCAD Savannah in Mid-February, but they are getting in three games in five days this week. They are playing three games in Florida this week and the first one was Saturday versus Webber International. Reinhardt is ranked #1 in the NAIA National Polls and they carry a target on their back everywhere they play. On Monday, they will play #3 ranked Keiser in West Palm Beach which should be an exciting match-up. The final game will be on Wednesday afternoon when they face Lawrence Tech in West Palm Beach as well.

JR Sess would get things going for the Eagles against Webber winning the faceoff as Reinhardt would get several shots in the first few moments of the game, however, all were high or wide of the goal. Webber would actually strike first in the game scoring the first two goals. Dillan Bousquet would get the first goal for the Eagles around the eight-minute mark and that would be the only goal of the first quarter for Reinhardt. The score after the first quarter was Webber up 2-1 on the Eagles.

Reinhardt would get one right away at the beginning of the second quarter when JR Sess would score after winning the faceoff again. Moments later, Tyler Wilkinson would add to the goal total as he was assisted by Bousquet bringing the score to 3-2 in favor of the Eagles. Webber would answer with a goal of their own just before the half and it would be all tied 3-3 going into the halftime break.

The third quarter would start the same as the previous quarter as JR Sess would win the faceoff and immediately score - but this time within six seconds of the start. Webber would later get another goal around the twelve-minute mark of the third quarter.  The game was proving to be a back and forth scoring event for both teams. Brady Hanak would later score in the third quarter around the ten-minute mark giving the Eagles the lead once more 5 to 4. Webber would again tie the game with about five minutes left in the third and the quarter would end with the teams tied once again, 5-5.

The fourth quarter would see the Eagles ramp things up some and start scoring without giving up goals to Webber. Sess would once again take the faceoff and drive down and score quickly. You would think Webber would have this figured out by then, but they had no answer for Sess and his quick play off the faceoff. Just moments later Cameron Cochran would score and the first real lead of the game was developing.

Just inside the nine-minute mark of the fourth, Titus Thind would find the back of the goal after receiving the assist from Hanak, The late scoring barrage started wearing Webber down as the Eagles now had a three-goal lead, 8-3. Wyatt Maddox, Dillan Bousquet, and Cameron Cochran would all get goals in the remaining minutes of the fourth quarter, however, Webber was able to squeeze in two late goals bringing the score slightly closer. The final would end up 11-7 for Reinhardt as they get their second official win of the season. The Eagles had several exhibition wins over NCAA D I and II school and club teams prior to the SCAD Savannah win.

JR Sess would lead the Eagles in scoring against Webber with 3 goals and 11 ground balls. Dillan Bousquet and Cameron Cochran both added 2 goals each. Liam Wright would have a good game in goal saving 6 on 13 total shots from Webber.

The Eagles will face a tough match with Keiser on Monday which should be an exciting game and maybe the most competitive game so far in the early season. The Eagles will have two additional road games before they play their official first home game of the season on March 25th against Point University. Don't miss your chance to see this talented group of athletes as they work on winning the conference and defending their NAIA National Title this season!