GENESEO, N.Y. - SUNY Geneseo junior forward Justin Cmunt scored the game-opening goal and added an assist on what proved to be the game-winner as the Knights held off a furious third-period comeback to defeat visiting Babson, 3-2, in the NCAA Division III Men's Ice Hockey Tournament Quarterfinals on Saturday night at Ira S. Wilson Arena. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Knights and Beavers skated through a scoreless first period, despite Geneseo outshooting the visitors, 13-4. 
• In the second period, the Knights had two shots ring off the post during a power-play opportunity before Cmunt went bar-down with a wrister as the man-advantage expired, giving the Knights a 1-0 lead in the second period. 
• Just 28 seconds in to the third period, first-year forward Peter Morgan found junior forward Tyson Gilmour with a laser pass to the crease for a one-timer power play goal to make it 2-0. 
• Later in the third, Cmunt knocked down a loose puck in the offensive zone and connected with senior forward Brendan Miller who found sophomore defenseman Nathan Poolman for a goal, giving the Knights a 3-0 lead with 16:12 to play. 
• Babson battled back with a pair of late third-period goals, but junior goalkeeper Matt Petizian finished with 15 saves to keep the Knights ahead and earn the victory. 

QUICK FACTS 

• Geneseo reaches its fourth Frozen Four in program history, also earning a berth to the national semifinal round in 2014, 2016 and 2018. The Knights improve to 7-7-2 all-time in NCAA Tournament play and claim their first-ever victory over Babson in four meetings. 
• Cmunt scored his 18th goal of the season while Gilmour tallied his 10th of the year and Poolman added his second goal of the season. 
• Senior defenseman Chris Perna finished with a team-high two assists while Miller, Morgan, Cervone and Cmunt each had one as well. 

WHAT'S NEXT? 

The Knights (23-2-1) will face University of New England in the national semifinal, taking place at Herb Books Arena in Lake Placid, N.Y. on Friday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m.