Following a deflating 7-3 loss against Allen the prior week, the Rangers Hockey team took on a speedy Frisco team at the Dr. Pepper Star Center in Frisco on Monday night.
Getting out to quick starts has not been the problem for Jesuit. In the previous game against Allen, the Rangers took a quick 3-1 lead with goals from Blake Balda ’11, Alex Mersch ’13, and Hayden Meshell ’13. Allen then gained all momentum and scored 5 goals in the second period and eventually won the game 7-3. Jesuit was looking to bounce back against Frisco. Once again, the Rangers took an early 2-0 lead with goals from John Leflore ’13 (assist: Bryce Derry ’11) and Nick Alexander ’13 (assists: Hayden Meshell ’13, John Leflore ’13). An early second period goal was scored by Frisco, and the score was 2-1 going into the third. Frisco then scored in the third from an unlucky bounce which tied the game at 2-2. With all the momentum their way, Frisco iced it with a late game-winning goal. Although the wins are not stacking up early in the season, the improvements being made by this
young varsity group are tremendous. With a short lineup and players returning from injuries, the season so far has been a success. The forward line of sophomores Nick Alexander ’13, John Leflore ’13, and Hayden Meshell ’13 is one of the most talented lines in the league and only showing promise for the future. Sophomore alternate captain Nick Alexander says: “We’re getting better every week, and this is a great group to be a part of because you can see the improvements being made.” Junior goalie Brenden Cain is by far the best goalie in the league, but he is looking for more scoring and better defense out in front of him to help win more games for this young team. With leadership from upperclassmen Connor Crumblish ’11, Bryce Derry ’11, and Blake Balda ’11 and continued hard work from underclassmen Alex Mersch ’13, Brennan Steele ’13, and Cory Hazelbaker ’14, the team will only continue to get better and eventually see the results on the scoresheet. Coach Mark 
Campbell sees promise out of this young group when he says: “We are in the midst of rebuilding a state champion caliber hockey team. We are progressing in the right direction and it is just a matter of time before they begin to see the results of their hard work and determination.”
Photography by Brooks Barnhouse ’12
