Xavier Hockey Three-peats

By Nick Byrne '11

On Saturday, February 20, the varsity hockey team captured its third consecutive CHSHL B division championship in a thrilling 2-1 overtime win over Archbishop Stepinac, confirming its status as a modern dynasty.

The Knights finished the season with a 17-1 record, outscoring their opponents 123-40, averaging 6.8 goals per game.

Head coach Al DiMauro’s team posted three shutouts and scored 5 or more goals in 15 of 18 matches. Ironically, their only blemish was a 5-1 loss to the Stepinac Crusaders on January 10.

Senior captains and Rockaway natives George Clark ’16, Brian Ostrander ’16, Thomas Laible ’16, and Matthew Erhard ’16 led this year’s conquest.

In typical Xavier fashion, the Knights traveled far and wide in search of ice time. Coney Island and Bayonne, New Jersey, serve as the team’s home away from home—a testament to an institution and its constituents who are expected to pursue excellence in every endeavor. As the team continues its reign of terror over the B division, The Evil Empire could find themselves in the top tier (A division) sooner than later.

Congratulations to Coach DiMauro and the varsity Knights on your historic run, and keep marching on to victory!