The Forester men's hockey team posted a 5-4 victory at Saint Mary's University Friday night to open the 2024-25 season.

Senior forward Griffen Sanom scored Lake Forest's first goal of the year at the 6:53 mark of the opening period. Justin Ross added to the visitors' lead a little more than two minutes later and fellow junior forward Philip Quetell netted his second career goal at the 14:24 mark to make the score 3-0. Sophomore defenseman Jared Kaplowitz assisted on the first two scored for his first career multi-point performance.

After Saint Mary's got on the scoreboard early in the second period, the Foresters regained their three-goal lead when senior defenseman Ryan Antonakis converted a power play opportunity at the 8:26 mark.

Forester junior forward Colin Bella made it a 5-1 game at 11:52 in the third period but that lead was threatened during the final eight minutes of the contest. Power play goals at 12:44 and 14:32 cut the margin in half and the home team eventually closed to within one with 13 seconds on the clock. The Cardinals were unable to get off another shot, however, and Lake Forest secured the victory.

Forester senior goaltender Bobby McCloskey made 26 saves on the night and defeated Saint Mary's in a season opener for the second year in a row.

The same two teams will be back in action Saturday afternoon at 4:00.