DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Dubuque men's hockey team kicked off the 2025-2026 NCHA season at home against #6 St. Norbert College on Friday. Zach Cline scored his first career goal as the Spartans lost 4-1.

The #6 Green Knights (2-1-0, 1-0-0 NCHA) unleashed a flurry of shots as the game began, but the Spartans (1-2-0, 1-0-0 NCHA) defense withstood the onslaught for the first ten minutes of the period. In the eleventh minute, the Spartans drew a penalty, resulting in a power play. The Spartans immediately took advantage of the power play, as Nolan Underwood and Brock Weimer connected to find Zach Cline to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead. The Green Knights scored an even strength goal with three minutes left to tie the match. The Spartans pressed the attack early in the second period, firing off eight of the first ten shots of the period. Both defenses looked strong throughout the period and the game remained tied 1-1 going into the third period. The Green Knights added three goals in the final frame and the match ended with a score of 4-1 in favor of St. Norbert.

One of the Spartans' strengths on Friday was shorthanded defense. The Green Knights had three separate power plays in the first period and could not convert on any of them, thanks to stellar defense by the back line and goalkeeper Dazza Mitchell. Nikita Borodayenko led the Spartans with five shots and won seven of his twelve face-offs. Zach Burfoot fired four shots and won six of his eleven face-offs. Underwood, in addition to his assist, won six face-offs and blocked two shots. Cline scored his first career goal and blocked three shots during the NCHA opener. In goal, Mitchell tallied 28 saves across sixty minutes.

Up Next

The Spartans take on the Green Knights again in the second half of the series on Saturday at home at 3:00 p.m.