Foresters Win in Overtime at #13 River Falls

Photo by Matt Weidner
Photo by Matt Weidner

Junior forward Jimmy Cusan's first goal of the season 3:25 into overtime gave the Lake Forest College men's hockey team a 3-2 triumph at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, the 13th-ranked team in the nation, Friday night.

Cusan's score capped off a comeback victory for the Foresters, who trailed by two after the home team netted goals at 4:18 and 9:48 in the second period. Lake Forest junior goaltender Billy Cooper kept the visitors in the contest by stopped each of the Falcons' 19 shots on goal in the opening period and 12 of 14 in the second. He also made 10 saves in the third period and one in overtime for 42 in the game, one shy of his career high.

Lake Forest finally began the comeback when Cusan assisted on freshman forward John Gugent's second goal of the season two-and-a-half minutes into the third period. The Foresters tied the score at the 13:43 mark on sophomore forward Charlie Izaguirre's first of the year. Izaguirre was assisted by freshman forward Drew Cleereman and junior forward Jack Lewis.

After being out-shot 43-20 in regulation, the Foresters put four shots on goal in the extra period. Sophomore forward George Gerasimou earned the assist on Cusan's game-winner with 1:35 on the clock.

It was the second overtime victory of the year for Lake Forest, who improved to 3-4 on the season. River Falls fell to 3-3-1.

The Foresters will face off at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the eighth-ranked team in the country, Saturday night at 7:00.