Cuce, Sabourin Garner UCHC Weekly Accolades

2018 Feb 7

After picking up two crucial United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) wins over Nazareth College (3-2) and No. 7/7-ranked Utica College (5-1), Matthew Cuce '20 and Jake Sabourin '21 both received weekly accolades from the league office (1/31/18). In addition to being tabbed the conference Player of the Week, Cuce was also named to the D3hockey.com National Team of the Week. Sabourin received UCHC Goaltender of the Week honors.

Cuce paced the Soaring Eagles with five points in the two critical league games over the weekend. The Fort Myers, Florida, native had a hand in all three goals against the Golden Flyers with one tally and two assists on Friday at the Murray Athletic Center. Cuce's goal at the 9:09 mark of the second period gave the Purple and Gold a 2-1 lead heading into the final stanza. He was also credited with the primary assist on the game-winning tally from Connor Powell '20. On Saturday, Cuce posted two points (1g-1a) against the Pioneers, which included the game-winner in the second period.

With his performances over the weekend, Cuce is tied for second in the UCHC in assists (17) and third in both points (31) and goals (14). He also extended his point streak to five-straight games and has recorded multiple points in four consecutive bouts.

Sabourin, on the other hand, made one start over the weekend, but it was quite the gem. Against nationally-ranked Utica, the Catonsville, Maryland, native made 36 saves to hold the country's fourth-ranked scoring offense (4.42 gpg) to just one goal. Sabourin also led the EC defense to a 1-for-6 performance on the penalty kill against the nation's third-ranked power-play unit, which was responsible for the team's lone goal of the evening in the first period. After allowing the power-play goal, he proceeded to shut out the Pioneers for the final 40:22, which included 24 saves in the critical second and third periods.

On the season, Sabourin is 4-4-1 and is riding a four-game unbeaten streak (3-0-1). Of his four wins, three have come against nationally-ranked opponents. Sabourin now paces the team in saves (297) and is not far behind fellow rookie Gennaro Anzevino '21 in save percentage (.908) and goals-against average (3.10).