NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Behind a three-point night from first year Joey Kennelly, the St. Olaf College men's hockey team downed Marian University by a 3-1 score for its first victory of the season on Friday evening at St. Olaf Ice Arena.

After a scoreless opening period, Kennelly scored twice in the second period to give St. Olaf (1-1-0) a 2-1 lead over Marian (0-2-0) heading into the third. The first year proceeded to add an assist on junior Jonathan Young's insurance goal early in the third period to cap his three-point night.

The Sabres outshot the Oles by an 11-6 margin in shots on goal in the opening period but neither team was able to find a goal despite having two power plays in the period each. Early in the second, Kennelly turned home a rebound off a shot from the right side by senior Noah Heisler to give St. Olaf the lead with his first collegiate goal at 1:11.

The lead lasted just 64 seconds, however, as Marian answered on a one-timer from the left circle by Nick Cherkowski on the power play at the 2:15 mark. The game remained tied until Kennelly redirected a shot by junior Ben Luscko for his second goal of the night at 17:03 of the third period, with sophomore Gunnar Johnson also picking up an assist after getting the puck to Luscko.

Young finished off his three-point opening weekend with his second goal of the weekend at 1:53 of the third, lifting in a backhand on a breakaway after Kennelly shoveled senior Troy Bowditch's pass up ice to spring Young. St. Olaf made the two-goal lead stand up the rest of the way thanks, in part, to a 32-save evening from senior Lukas Haugen, who earned the 15th win of his collegiate career in the process.

Marian held a 33-29 edge in shots on goal throughout the game but was plagued by seven penalties in the loss. St. Olaf was unable to capitalize on the penalties, however, going 0-for-6 on the power play, while the visitors were 1-for-3. Andreai Proctor-Ramirez made 26 saves for the Sabres.

The Oles open Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) play against Bethel University next weekend, beginning with a 7 p.m. matchup at the National Sports Center in Blaine on Friday, Nov. 3.