The Waldorf hockey team fell 5-1 against Michigan State Saturday in the opening round of the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II Central Regional at Rolling Meadows, Illinois, according to a press release.

“We played well for stretches, but lacked consistency,” said Waldorf coach Brett Shelanski. “At times we carried the play, and we were able to create chances. But we struggled to finish, and Michigan State was able to bury their chances.”

The Spartans (17-11) entered the showdown ranked No. 5 in the final polls. They scored the only goal of the opening period and owned a three-goal advantage after two periods. Michigan State tacked on two more goals in the third period.

Lane Sanderson scored for the No. 10 Warriors (23-9-3) in the final period.

Saturday marked Waldorf’s second straight regional tournament appearance and was just the third year of postseason eligibility for the Warriors.

The loss ended the careers of Daniel Pletta and Sanderson.

The postseason exit wasn’t what the Warriors had in mind. With the national tournament being the ultimate goal, Waldorf’s players remain hungry for more success following the loss to the Spartans.

“Hopefully it motivates our guys to continue to work and work even harder beginning with this spring in the weight room and this summer both on and off the ice to get beyond this point next year,” Shelanski said.

The Warriors return an accomplished squad next year, including Dalton Kaake, the team’s top scorer from this season. Kaake ended the year with 23 goals, 22 assists and 45 points while earning NCHL First Team All-Conference honors.

Ronald Paulson, the NCHL Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, shined as a freshman for Waldorf. Paulson, a First Team All-Conference selection, recorded 786 saves, a .942 save percentage and a 1.92 goals against average.

Juniors Reed Loucks, Jake Taylor and sophomore Artem Savelyev will be back next season after garnering Second Team All-Conference recognition.

Freshmen Drew Soderberg and Jeffrey Bartel joined Paulson on the NCHL All-Rookie Team while freshmen Jeremy Navarro, Matthew Liggett and Loucks earned All-Rookie honorable mention recognition.

Kaake, the NCHL Tournament’s Most Valuable Player, helped the Warriors capture the NCHL Tournament title with a 3-1 win over Robert Morris University (18-15) on Feb. 15 at Albert Lea. He was named to the All-Tournament team along with senior Christian Weber and sophomores Nicholas Carroll, Kaake, Bartel and Savelyev.

Junior Jess Engquist and sophomore Alex Fleming tied for third on the team with nine goals this season. Weber scored eight goals, sophomore Spencer Johnson turned in seven goals while Loucks, Taylor and Savelyev finished with six goals apiece.

Ninety of Waldorf’s 119 goals from the 2014-15 campaign came from players who will be expected to make an impact once again next season. It’s a positive sign for the Warriors moving forward.

“The outlook for this team is very promising,” Shelanski said. “We lose two players that played this weekend and while they will be missed, the majority of this roster is underclassmen who were major contributors this season. If they continue to put in the work, this team has a bright future.”