Bergen Record features WPU Ice Hockey

2010-03-07


Senior Alternate Captain John Gomez leads the Pioneers with 29 goals

With the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Championships on the horizon, the Bergen Record featured the Pioneers in Wednesday's sports section.

After making headlines throughout online hockey publications, the William Paterson University Ice Hockey team has made its way into the Bergen Record.

You can access the content on NorthJersey.com by clicking here or you can stay on this page and read the excerpt from the site below:

Pioneers have hockey dreams
Wednesday, March 10, 2010

By John Rowe

Even with the early exits of its men's and women's basketball team from the Division III national tournaments, there's still something to cheer about at William Paterson.

The WPU men's hockey team has advanced to the American Collegiate Hockey League national tournament, next Wednesday through March 20 in Simsbury, Conn., for the second consecutive season. The Pioneers (24-8-1-1) lost to two-time national champion Davenport last year.

"Last season was the first experience on the national stage for the team," said Bob Carnathan, director of hockey operations and assistant coach. "While we still have a relatively young team this year, a few of our returning guys, our leaders, know what to expect this time around. They are very excited to have another shot at the national championship."

The Pioneers boast one of the top goaltenders in the nation in Chris Bauer, a freshman from Scotch Plains, who leads the country with 19 wins. Their offense is led by Albert Campbell of Wayne, who has 28 goals and 53 points, and John Gomez of Fairfield, with 29 goals and 42 points.

William Paterson hockey is funded by the university's Student Government Association and by player tuition. In its 37th year, the team has no ties to the university's athletic department.