In his second season as an assistant coach, Halfmoon Bay's David Arduin has helped lead the SUNY Geneseo Knights to the NCAA Division III men's hockey Frozen Four national championship.
The Knights battled back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 over Norwich last Sunday in the quarterfinals. Geneseo (23-6) tied a school record with their 23rd victory of the season and now advance to the national semifinals against St. Norbert from Wisconsin this Friday, March 21, in Lewiston, Maine. The other semifinal will see Geneseo's rival Oswego squaring off against Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Making only the program's fourth NCAA Tournament appearance, Geneseo advanced to the quarterfinal after defeating Nichols (Mass.) 3-2 last Thursday for the first-ever NCAA Tournament win in program history. Geneseo has never played St. Norbert, which has won three of the last six Division III national championships, including back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012.
"It's been an amazing year for us. Since my senior year playing here, we have come a long way and it's awesome to be a part of that," Arduin said. "I'm looking forward to taking in the whole experience this weekend. This is a huge moment for our hockey program."
The Knights won the conference regular season title for the first time in the program's history this year with a 14-2 conference record. They have been nationally ranked between 10 and 15 all season long and in the playoffs have relished the underdog role, knocking off some powerhouse teams and battling back for several come-from-behind wins.
"St. Norbert is a powerhouse and it's going to be our toughest game of the year, no doubt," Arduin said. "But that's OK. We've been underdogs all year long, and it's a role we have played very well."
Arduin is thrilled to be part of the only coaching staff in America who are alumni of the school.
"I couldn't have asked for a better coaching situation," he said.
