Matthew Cuce '20 tickled the twine on five occasions in two games for the Soaring Eagles over the weekend. He not only led the team in goals scored, but he also finished first in power-play goals (3), in addition to notching the game-tying tally in a 4-4 overtime draw versus Manhattanville on Friday and the game-winner in Saturday's 6-1 win over King's (Pa.).
The Fort Myers, Florida, native played a crucial role in EC's tie versus the Valiants by netting two goals, which allowed the Soaring Eagles to secure one point for the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) standings. The following night against the Monarchs, Cuce posted a career performance with his first collegiate hat trick. All three of his career-best three goals were earned on the power play, making him the first Soaring Eagle to register three man-up goals in a game since Rusty Masters '10 did so on January 17, 2009, in a 10-1 win over Morrisville.
In his second year donning the Purple and Gold, Cuce is turning in another stellar campaign. The 2016-17 ECAC West All-Rookie Team honoree has doubled last year's scoring output with 12 goals and has already surpassed his freshman point total with 26 this season. The sophomore ranks third in the UCHC in points and goals and is tied for fourth place in assists (14).
Cuce and the EC men will hit the ice on Friday, January 26, when the Soaring Eagles open a four-game UCHC homestand against Nazareth College at the Murray Athletic Center. The opening puck drop is slated for 7:00 p.m.
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