Roller hockey swept Bethel (Tenn.) University in two straight games 9-3 and 6-1 to claim its second straight Midwest Collegiate Roller Hockey League (MCRHL) Championship on Saturday at Midwest Sport Hockey in Ballwin, Missouri.

In what proved to be the clinching contest in the best-of-three series, the Lions jumped in front on a Bryce Pierce goal at 4:25 in the first, assisted by Bennett Blake. Lindenwood was called for cross-checking a few minutes later which led to a Wildcats power play goal at 9:42 and it was tied 1-1.

The Lions started to take control in the second. Blake set up Parker Winkelmann at 1:54 for a 2-1 advantage. Bethel was called for roughing at the 8:01 mark and it took 90-seconds for Connor Bradley to capitalize off a feed from Jackson Wozniak.

Lindenwood led 3-1 after the second and pulled away with three more in the third. Clayton Liefeld netted a shot with help from Jack Wedoski at 2:20, then Pierce and Wedoski sounded the horn with unassisted efforts at 6:49 and 9:12.

After the Wildcats had an 11-7 advantage for shots in the opening period, the Lions ultimately prevailed 39-22. Chase Christopher earned the victory in goal with 21 saves on 22 shots. Pierce earned Star No. 1 honors with a two-goal effort, Christopher was named Star No. 2 with a .955 save percentage, and Wedoski received Star No. 3 recognition with a goal and an assist.

Despite Lindenwood ultimately getting a six-goal win, the series opener was closely contested into the opening moments of the second. Nathan Durrans set up Landon Kooker for the first Lions goal at 3:32 of the first, then a pass from Jackson Wozniak to Wedoski made it 2-0 at 5:37. Bethel cut the deficit in half with just over five-minutes remaining in the period and had a chance for an equalizer on the power play, but Wozniak took control of the puck and fed Liefeld for a short-handed goal at 10:13.

The Wildcats scored in the early stages of the second to make it 3-2, but Lindenwood countered with the next six goals unanswered. Liefeld netted his second of game at 3:48, assisted by Pierce, then Wozniak set up Wodoski at 8:13. After an unassisted effort from Connor Bradley at 9:20, he then executed a nifty pass to Blake for a score at 11:44 for a 7-2 Lions advantage.

Lindenwood continued dominance in the third. Wozniak split the pipes at 1:36 on a play set up by Winkelmann and Dylan Sullivan, then Wedoski completed his hat trick with help from Wozniak at 9:50. Bethel scored an unassisted goal off a steal in the waning seconds of the contest for the final margin.

The Lions outshot the Wildcats 41-21 and Marky Hager stopped 18 of the 21 shots he faced to earn the victory in goal. Wozniak earned Star No. 1 honors with a goal and four assists, Wedoski was named Star No. 2 with his hat trick, and Liefeld received Star No. 3 recognition with two goals.

With the MCRHL title, roller hockey extended its conference championship streak to three after claiming the MCRHL in 2023 and the Great Plains Collegiate Inline Hockey League (GPCIHL) Championship in 2022.

The Lions finish MCRHL play with a 10-0 record and currently sit at 16-0 in collegiate competition overall. They now await the announcement of national championship bids from the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) expected on March 4.

The 2024 Division I National Collegiate Roller Hockey Championships are scheduled for April 17-20 at Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn, Maine.