SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Panthers extended their season opening winning streak to four with a weekend sweep over ACHA D1 newcomer the University of Louisville Cardinals.

Veteran captain K-T Walters opened the scoring for the Panthers late in the first period, but that lead was extended early in the second on Freshman Tyson Horiachka's first collegiate goal. The Cardinals cut the lead in half late in the second period with a power play goal, but the two Panthers early goal scorers weren't done for the evening.

Midway through the third period, Horiachka scored his second of the night, restoring the Panthers' two-goal lead and four minutes later Walters netted his second of the night and third of the season giving the Panthers the 4-1 win. Sophomore goaltender Jozef Kuchaslo stopped 18-of-19 shots to pick up his second win of the season.

Game two found the Panthers facing adversity for the first time in 2025-26 after giving up a goal five minutes into the first period and the first time this season they trailed in a game. Junior Ethan O'Rourke tied the game with his first of the season just two minutes after the Panthers fell behind, but the Cardinals responded late in the period to reestablish their one-goal lead.

While it appeared the Panthers would head to the first intermission down a goal, Sophomore defenseman Lucas Sadownyk scored his first of the season with just 19 seconds remaining in the period to re-tie the game.

The second period proved to be the best period of the early season for the Panthers, dominating play outshooting the Cardinals 19-3 and picking up goals from sophomore Anmol Garcha, senior Francis Young-Menard and the first collegiate goal for freshman Lukas Ravenstein.

Although the Cardinals would score again early in the third period, Kuchaslo picked up his third win of the season stopping 16-of-19 shots.

The Panthers hit the road for the first time this season when they travel to Bismark, ND Sept. 20-21 to take on the UMary Marauders.