LONG ISLAND, N.Y. – The Maryville University Men's ACHA Division I Hockey team is set to make history this week, traveling east to face the Long Island University Sharks in the program's first-ever NCAA Division I exhibition series. The two-game set will be played Thursday and Friday on Long Island, N.Y., with puck drops scheduled for 7:45 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., respectively.

This landmark matchup comes as Maryville continues its institutional push to elevate the men's hockey program to NCAA Division I status — a vision that has galvanized excitement across the university and the St. Louis hockey community. Fittingly, the Saints will take on an opponent that made the same leap only five seasons ago, providing a glimpse into what the next chapter of Maryville Hockey could look like.

The Saints enter the weekend with a 5–4 record after opening the season with five straight wins before dropping four tightly contested games against perennial ACHA powers Ohio and Minot State — both ranked among the nation's top five. The trip to LIU offers a valuable test against NCAA competition as the Saints continue to grow and measure themselves against the highest standard in college hockey.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for our program and our university," said Head Coach and Director of Hockey, John Hogan. "LIU made the jump to NCAA Division I not long ago, and to compete against them gives us a great benchmark as we continue to tip our toes in the water at that level. It's a learning experience, but also a chance to show the type of hockey we're capable of playing. Our goals haven't changed — we want to win an ACHA Division I National Championship — but moments like this help push our program and our players forward."