Roller hockey won its first two games of pool play on Wednesday, stopping Neumann University 11-0 and topping Michigan State 7-4 at the 2018 National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association Division I Championship at the Southwest Youth Ice Arena in Fargo, North Dakota.

In the opening contest against the Knights, the Lions dominated from the beginning with three goals in the first period, three in the second, and five in the third while outshooting Neumann 33 to 6.   Adam Swims and Nick Schnelle each earned a hat trick.  Cody Page and Jake Escarcega each found the back of the net twice while Tyler Watson split the pipes once.  Michael Schrader, Daniel Rosse, and Jalen Krogman helped the offense with two assists each. 

Jacob Robinson stopped all six shots he saw to earn the win in goal.  Schnelle, Page, and, Escarcega were named the Stars of the Game.

The game against the Spartans proved more challenging as it took Lindenwood until the third period to finally pull away for the victory.  Michigan State scored in the first 32 seconds to take an early lead before Nick DellaMorte countered with a short-handed effort in the final two minutes of the period. 

The Spartans regained the lead on a power play early in the second before the Lions fought back with the next three.  Watson sounded the horn on back-to-back plays and then Krogman broke free for a short-handed tally, but Michigan State refused to go away and added a power play goal in the final 30 seconds to trail by just one at 4-3.

Lindenwood scored the first two in the third on shots from Schnelle and Austin Steger to get some breathing room.  The Spartans hit the back of the cage late in the period and Steve Farina added a shorty for the Lions in the final 20 seconds for the final margin.

Lindenwood outshot Michigan State 28-18 and Robinson stopped 14 of 18 to earn his second win of the day.  Watson earned Star #1 honors with two goals and an assist.
The Lions start the tournament with a 2-0 mark in Pool A.  They face Arizona State Thursday afternoon at 2:15 p.m.  The Sun Devils are also 2-0 after taking two close games on Wednesday, so the victor wins the pool and earns the higher seed for elimination bracket play beginning Friday.