FOND DU LAC, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – Freshman Derek Thorogood's first collegiate goal propelled the Marian University men's hockey team to its first win of the season, a 2-1 victory and leg up on visiting Lawrence University in the opener of a two-game "Battle of 41" series, this evening, Nov. 7.

Thorogood broke a 1-1 tie at the 12:52 mark on assists by Warren Carter and Rjay Berra and held strong the rest of the way as Marian came away with its first win of the year. The Sabres outshot the Vikings, 40-26 on the night and Marian goalie Mike Gudmandson picked up his first collegiate win.

In the first period, neither side was able to break through. The Sabres held a 16-5 lead in shots, but weren't able to break through. Around the 5:00 mark, senior Matt Williams found himself on a breakaway following a deflected pass, but Lawrence goalie Mattias Soderqvist came away with the shoulder save to turn the Sabres aside.

Both teams exchanged goals in the second 20 minutes as the Vikings cracked the scoreboard first with Gustav Lindgren's tally at the 7:53 mark.

Ben Morgan then came up big with a power play goal with 1:33 left in the period to tie the game on assists by Mark Whiteley and Scott Milnthorpe.

Then, at 12:52 in the third, Thorogood redirected a shot from Carter, that came from Rjay Berra, to put the Sabres in front.

Gudmandson made 25 saves in the win.

He and the Sabres now look ahead to Saturday night as they try to take series. Start time is set for 7 p.m. inside Appleton Family Ice Center in Appleton, Wis.