GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The Augustana hockey team handed No. 5/6 North Dakota its first preseason exhibition game loss since the 1996-97 season by a score of 4-1 on Saturday night in Ralph Engelstad Arena. Brett Meerman potted two goals in the affair.

Augustana jumped out to an early lead in the first period by a score of 2-0 and continued its momentum into the second period to lead 3-0. In the final period of play, both teams traded goals as Augustana defeated the Fighting Hawks by a score of 4-1. 

Augustana opened up the first period in style with a goal 2:20 into the first period as Meerman buried in the rubber off a rebound from Will Svenddal's shot from the point. Simon Falk collected the secondary assist on the goal. Eight minutes later, Tyler Hennen set up a chance in the offensive zone for Nace Langus to drive hard to the net and pot in Augustana's second of the period. 

Both teams battled for possession in the second period and shared time in the box throughout 20 minutes of play. Quinn Rudrud pushed Augustana's lead to three with a redirection in front of the net off passes from Payton Matsui and Colton Friesen. 

Meerman opened up the scoring 3:41 into the third period as he totaled his second of the night with a weak side shot. Luke Mobley and Matsui added assists on the goal. North Dakota netted its lone goal of the game 9:41 into the frame with a power play goal from the point. Both teams battled back and forth throughout the final frame, finding ample scoring chances but the score remained 4-1 by the final buzzer.

Game Moments

• Meerman tallied two goals and was named player of the game. 
• Rudrud and Langus tallied one goal each.
• Josh Kotai and Christian Manz shared equal time between the pipes. Kotai made 15 saves and Manz stopped 13.
• Augustana edged out the Fighting Hawks by 5.2 percent on the faceoff dot. Callum Gau went 100 percent, as he won all five of his attempts. 
• Augustana handed North Dakota its first preseason exhibition game loss since the 1996-97 season. 

Goals

• Meerman recorded the first goal of the game on a backdoor tap-in off a shot from the point from Svenddal. Falk tallied the secondary assist on the play. 
• Langus drove hard to the net and buried in the second goal of the game. T. Hennen grabbed the primary assist. 
• After a shot on net from Matsui, Rudrud buried in Augustana's third goal. Friesen snagged the secondary assist. 
• Meerman scored his second goal on the night off passes from Mobley and Matsui. 
• UND scored its lone goal in the third period off a shot from point on the power play. 

Up Next
Augustana opens up the regular season on home ice as it hosts Long Island University on Friday and Saturday. Puck drop is slated for 7:07 p.m. and 6:07 p.m. inside Midco Arena. 

Tickets are still available and can be purchased on GoAugie.com/Tickets.