By Journal

Sports Staff

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Marquette Legion Post 44 Bantam AA U14 hockey team’s quest for a championship stayed alive Saturday afternoon at the USA Hockey Tier II Division 3A national tournament.

The Junior Wildcats jumped out to an early lead and held on late to earn a 2-1 victory over the Mount Lebanon (Penn.) Hornets in USA pool play. Marquette finished first in its pool.

Marquette got on the scoreboard just 10 seconds into the game when Cole Ranta found the back of the net.

Owen Riipi and Jacob Garrow picked up assists on the play. The Wildcats maintained that 1-0 lead for the rest of the first period.

The Wildcats extended their advantage to two goals at the 12:58 mark when Ranta notched his second goal of the game, this time on the power play. Dylan King and Jack Sides got the assists.

Marquette went 1 for 5 with the man advantage, while the Hornets went 0 for 5.

Marquette stayed ahead by two for the rest of second and a few minutes into the third before the Hornets scored at the 6:59 mark on an unassisted tally by Pavel Sidun.

The Wildcats shook off the goal though and kept Mt. Lebanon at bay the rest of the way.

Wildcats goalie Liam Beerman finished with 25 saves on 26 shots, while Hornets netminder Dominic Zevola made 20 stops on 22 shots

Marquette will either play the Texas Tigers at 9 a.m. today in the quarterinals.

If the Wildcats win, they will play again at 4 p.m.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Writer Ryan Stieg. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.