DUBUQUE, Iowa - It was a historical night for the University of Dubuque and the state of Iowa. The Spartans competed in the first varsity NCAA collegiate contest in the state of Iowa on Friday, Nov. 3 in front of the largest crowd of the season. The hockey faithful showed up to witness history when the Spartans faced off against the Trine University Thunder. The match-up broadcast live on KCRG 9.2 to the tri-states, unfortunately the Spartans lost 0-4 to visiting Thunder at ImOn Arena.

Trine scored twice in the opening period and once on a power-play, each team played even in the second and it was a defensive shutout. In the third the Thunder would add two goals with one shorthanded goal before time ran out. UD (0-3-1 overall and 0-1-0 in NCHA) will continue the weekend series on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 2:00 p.m. 

Trine was 1/7 in power play opportunities and UD was unable to convert on 10 power-play chances, but finished with 12 shots in the advantage. The Spartans compiled 18 shots and were led by Langley Kruggel who grabbed three shots and teammates Brandin Rossetti, Charles Levis, Nicholas Solema, Tye Evans, Nate Holm, ended the home opener with two shots each. Patrick Toomey was 11-20 in faceoffs. James Eng was 10-14 as  a team the Spartans were 36-80. Phil Schader blocked three of UD's 11 total team blocks. 

Dakota Meyer took the loss in the net, but was kept busy with a season high 40 saves (7 in the first, 19 in the second, and 14 in the third). The Spartans forced the visiting Thunder into a balanced six saves in each period.