The sixth-seeded College of Idaho took down No. 3 Grand Valley State to help keep their perfect season intact, while South Carolina moved past Liberty at the 2019 MCLA National Tournament.
No. 6 College of Idaho (14-0) d. No. 3 Grand Valley State (8-3), 13-9
With an 8-2 second-half run sparked by Tyler Sanchez and Ryan Henning, sixth-seeded College of Idaho (14-0) rallied to upset No. 3 Grand Valley State (8-3) on Tuesday night at the Salt Lake City Regional Athletic Complex, 13-9.
The Lakers tried to put their stamp on the game from the jump, racing out to a 4-1 lead, but the Yotes countered to narrow the lead to 7-5 heading into the half.
College of Idaho regrouped during the intermission and eventually tied the game at sevens heading into the final frame thanks to a pair of assists from Henning. The game was still tied at eight at the 10-minute mark of the final stanza, but the Yotes finished on a 5-1 run to knock the Lakers out.
Sanchez buried a hat trick for College of Idaho while Jennings finished with two markers and three helpers. Cade Brown made 15 saves to pick up the win.
In his final game with the Lakers, Jake Parry was his typical self, scoring four goals and dishing out three assists to factor into 78 percent of GVSU’s output. Alex Moyer had six saves.
No. 3 South Carolina (19-2) d. No. 6 Liberty (16-2), 9-6
The Gamecock defense flexed its muscle on Tuesday night, holding the powerful Liberty offense to six goals – and just two in the second half – for the 9-6 victory and second-straight ticket to the national semifinals. South Carolina won the rubber match in the third meeting between the two programs.
After a scoreless first quarter, the offenses finally arrived in the second, each netting four goals heading into the halftime break. The Gamecocks brought a tentative, 6-5 lead into the final frame, but put the game away with a 3-1 fourth.
Sam Weis posted a hat trick along with an assist to lead the South Carolina offense while Andrew Pizzo chipped in with a pair. Colin Hains had seven saves in the victory.
C.J. Nichols and Carter Elliott potted a pair of goals each for the Flames. Brayden Harriman made 10 saves in the loss.
No. 4 Georgia Tech (18-1) d. No. 12 Florida State (9-7), 12-7
The Yellow Jacket faceoff duo of Tyler Harper and Mike Pullen combined to win 18-of-22 faceoffs, helping Georgia Tech build an early bulge and fend off Florida State, 12-7. The win sends Tech to the national semifinals for the third time in the last four years.
Devin Raun scored two of his four goals in the opening period when the Ramblin’ Wreck took a 5-2 lead that ultimately turned out to be the decisive run. Florida State stayed very close the rest of the way, but could not make up that initial deficit, much of it do to Tech’s faceoff prowess.
Conrad McEvoy had three goals and two assists in the winning effort while Gino Pagliaro was credited with seven saves. Luke Kendall had a hat trick for the Seminoles. Colin Peaks had nine saves.
No. 4 Dayton (11-3) d. No. 5 North Florida (13-2), 10-7
Tied at seven heading into the fourth quarter against a confident North Florida squad, Dayton leaned on its trademarks: meatgrinder defense and opportunistic offense.
John McGovern, Quinn Thompson and Sam White potted goals while the Flyers defense blanked the Ospreys for the final 15 minutes, allowing Dayton to post the 10-7 victory and return to the semifinals for the first time since 2015, when it won the championship.
White was a force for the Flyers, scoring half the team’s goals while Jacob Rogan added two goals and an assist. Mitch Nietupski was credited with four saves.
Ryan Pasinski had a hat trick for UNF. Joe Kissick had 10 saves between the pipes.
Stay tuned for more 2019 MCLA National Tournament coverage.
