DEARBORN, Mich. - The University of Michigan-Dearborn hockey team broke through on homecoming weekend, finishing off a sweep of No. 18 University of Illinois with 4-1 win Saturday on Alumni Appreciation Day at the UM-Dearborn Ice Arena.

The win returns the No. 14 Wolverines to even on the season at 4-4.

The Wolverines held the Fighting Illini off the board until late in the third as the defense put together a strong performance. Jeff McFarland (JR/Grosse Ile, Mich.) scored the first two for UM-Dearborn, with one in the closing seconds of the first period and another in the opening minute of the second.

One night after scoring a hat trick, Tyler Groat (SO/Wyandotte, Mich.) lit the lamp yet again, putting the Wolverines up 3-0 with less than sven minutes to play in the third. Groat has a team high eight goals through eight games for UM-Dearborn.

After Illinois got on the board with under five to play, Andrew Spiegel (SO/Riverview, Mich.) iced the win wiith a late goal. Nic LaBurn (SO/Northville, Mich.) finished with two assists, while Groat, McFarland, Troy Saunders (SO/Canton, Mich.), John Barlow (SO/Shelby Twp, Mich.), Ryan Urso (JR/Livonia, Mich.) and Gino Darin (SR/Allen Park Mich.) each added one.

Nathan Ferris (JR/Weyburn, Saskatchewan) got the start in net for the Wolverines, making eight saves before exiting the game in the second period. Thomas Proudluck finished the contest between the pipes. Proudluck saw 30 shots, stopping 29 of them. Both teams finished with 38 shots on goal.

The Wolverines get a weekend off before traveling to No. 4 Ohio University for a pair of games Nov. 4-5 in Athens, Ohio.