Lacelle Makes 40 Saves in Collegiate Debut, Omaha Falls 2-1 at Augustana

 

By Bridget (Weide) Brooks

Omaha Hockey opened the 2026-27 regular season with a 2-1 loss to No. 15 Augustana Thursday night at Midco Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D., despite a 40-save performance from freshman goaltender William Lacelle in his collegiate debut.

Freshman Maël Lavigne scored his first collegiate goal for the Mavericks, who held a 1-0 lead early before the Vikings tied the game in the first period and scored the game-winner with 1:12 remaining in regulation.

Lavigne opened the scoring at 6:45 of the first period, with assists from captain Marc Lajoie and Joel Plante.

Augustana answered at 10:02 when Heath Nelson scored off assists from Easton Young and Owen Baumgartner, tying the game 1-1.

Lacelle made 14 saves in the opening period as Augustana outshot Omaha 15-9.
Neither team scored in the second period. The Mavericks recorded 13 shots on goal, while Lacelle stopped all 13 shots he faced to keep the game tied heading into the third.

The score remained 1-1 until Nace Langus scored at 18:48 of the third period, with Hunter Bischoff picking up the assist, to give Augustana a 2-1 lead.

Omaha called timeout following the goal and pulled Lacelle for an extra attacker with 56 seconds remaining, but the Mavericks were unable to tie the game.

Lacelle finished with 40 saves on 42 shots for a .952 save percentage. Augustana goaltender Mathis Langevin made 28 saves on 29 shots.

Augustana outshot Omaha 42-29. The Mavericks went 0-for-3 on the power play but held the Vikings scoreless on all four of their opportunities.

Omaha (0-1-0) returns home to conclude the series against Augustana (2-0-1) on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Baxter Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT for Military Appreciation Night. The game will be streamed on NCHC.tv.