LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Luther defeated host Lake Forest 3-0 on Thursday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA tournament. The victory gives the Norse an overall record of 15-6-0. Lake Forest ends its season with a mark of 14-7-0.
Matt Hoffman scored what proved to be the game winner at 35:56 assisted by Brock Arend. James Garcia-Prats and Dane Huinker scored insurance goals in the second frame, finding the back of the Foresters net at 48:32 and 59:48 respectively. Gracia-Prats goal was his second of the season and he was assisted by Ryan Medina, while Huinker's was his first of the season and it was unassisted.
Tommy Breen improved to 11-3 on the year and faced one shot on goal. The shutout was his sixth of the season and he lowered his goals-against average to 0.75.
Luther is making its seventh appearance in the national tournament and with Thursday's victory advances to the second round for the fourth time in school history. The Norse will travel to No. 6 Loras on Sunday. The first time these two teams met during the regular season, the Duhawks defeated the Norse 3-0.
