Sophomore forward leads Quaker Valley hockey to signature win

By: Ray Fisher
Sunday, February 8, 2026 | 11:01 AM

Matthias Lezama collected four goals and an assist Feb. 2 to lead the Quaker Valley hockey team to its most important win of the regular season.

“We were a motivated group, and it showed in our performance,” QV coach Kevin Quinn said. “I liked all phases of our game.”

The Quakers (16-1-1) handed Canon-McMillan (16-1-1) its first loss by a 5-2 score in a clash of the top two teams in the PIHL Class A Blue Division at the Baierl Toyota Ice Complex in Warrendale.

QV also avenged a 6-1 loss to the Big Macs early in the season.

Lezama propelled QV to a 2-0 lead in the first period then completed his hat trick with a short-handed goal at the 10:49 mark of the second period.

The sophomore forward boosted the Quakers’ lead to 5-1 with a third-period power play goal, giving him four goals and five points on the night.

“I believe that was my best game of my career at Quaker valley so far,” Lezama said. “It’s the best because Canon Mac was previously undefeated. It was also the first time I had four goals in a game in my QV hockey career.

“Everyone played great and worked hard to get the win.”

Quinn said Lezama was relentless against the Big Macs.

“Matthias was exceptional,” Quinn said. “He started us off with a quick goal and then we rolled. His line, with Charlie Pyle and Max Modrovich, was particularly strong in all situations.

“Matthias really has grown so much and become a very consistent scorer for us. We will need him to continue to the strong play in the playoffs.”

Lezama and senior forward Jace Vasbinder assisted on junior defenseman Jack Watson’s second-period goal. Modrovich, a senior forward, assisted on Lezama’s second goal of the game.

“Colin York, Jace Vasbinder and Ben McHenry all had great games — in all situations — especially physically,” Quinn said. “But I think it is worth mentioning that our third line of Stefan Mauer, Charlie Johnson, Hunter Kronk and Luca Kurumfashe did, too.”

Lezama leads the Quakers offensively with 25 goals and 26 assists for 51 points, followed by Vasbinder (24 goals-11 assists—35 points), Modrovich (17-17—34), McHenry (15-17—32) and senior defenseman Luke Koehler (7-19—26). Lezama also is the Class A scoring leader.

QV’s senior goaltender Ian Lorang stopped 14 of 16 shots in picking up the victory.

“Ian was solid,” Quinn said, “particularly when we had to kill penalties in the first and third periods.”

On the season, Lorang improved to 12-1-1 with a 1.60 goals-against average, .921 save percentage and six shutouts.

“Ian played well in net,” Lezama said, “and our defensemen and forwards worked hard every shift.”

Lorang was supported by a strong defensive showing against Canon-McMillan that was spearheaded by Watson and Koehler along with seniors Tristan Bemis and Charles D’Antonio.

“Jack and Luke did what they always do for us: shut down the opponent and provide solid play in all areas,” Quinn said. “Jack was particularly strong on the PK and scored a big power-play goal.

“Tristan and Charlie have really stepped up all year for us. We lost some quality depth over the past couple of years and they stepped up when we needed them.”

The win was the Quakers’ seventh in a row and 14th in their last 15 games. During the recent winning streak, QV has outscored the opposition 46-6 and Lorang has posted two shutouts.

QV also increased its division-leading goal total to 112 while surrendering just 28 goals on the year.

Rocco Musto and Brenden Lomago had a goal apiece for Canon-McMillan, which was assessed 34 penalty minutes compared to 12 to the Quakers.

Tags: Quaker Valley