MCLA DII Quarterfinals: Drama Free

The MCLA DII quarterfinals were relatively drama free yesterday with the higher seeds coming out on top in three of four games. Check out the full rundown below!

MCLA DII Quarterfinals – Results & VOD

No. 2 North Dakota State 12, No. 7 Montana State 6

With a balanced attack featuring four players with two goals and its usual stingy defense, North Dakota State wore down Montana State, 12-6.

The Bison spotted the Bobcats a 2-0 lead to start the game, but NDSU would outscore Montana State, 9-2 in the second and third quarters to put the contest away.

Simon Hatlen, Preston Olson, Eric Larson and Brandon Wuertz all struck for a pair in the win while Noah Orham made six saves.

Alexander Brown had two goals for the Bobcats.

NDSU will face the winner of the Minn.-Duluth-Kennesaw contest.

No. 1 St. Thomas 6, No. 9 Florida Gulf Coast 4

In a grinder between two physical teams, St. Thomas outlasted Florida Gulf Coast, 6-4.

Six different players scored a goal for the Tommies, led by a goal and an assist from Nicholas Bunde.
Austin Cotton played very well for the Eagles, turning away 11 shots in the loss.

St. Thomas will face the winner of the St. John’s-Grand Valley State tilt.

No. 3 Minn.-Duluth 16, No. 6 Kennesaw State 4

Alex McNamara scored four goals, helping Minn.-Duluth race out to a 10-2 halftime edge and the Bulldogs never looked back in a 16-4 victory.

Three goalies combined for 18 saves for Duluth while a pair of Kennesaw State goalies made eight stops. Four different players scored goals for the Owls.

Duluth will face UMLC rival North Dakota State in the second Division II semifinal at 1:45 p.m.

No. 5 Grand Valley State 11, No. 4 St. John’s 9

This internecine UMLC squabble looked to be going the way of a rout as Grand Valley State raced out to a 5-0 lead and held a commanding, 8-1, bulge at the half.

While the lead was never in peril, the dogged Johnnies posted a 5-1 fourth quarter to bring the final to two goals.

Zack Crawford posted a dominant performance for the Lakers with seven goals and an assist while Jackson Iciek turned away 15 shots.

Tommy Kraus had two goals and a dime for the Johnnies in the loss.

The win gave GVSU coach Tim Murray his 100th career victory.

The Lakers will clash with top-seeded St. Thomas in the first semifinal on Thursday at 11 a.m.

Watch all the games from the 2018 MCLA National Championships now.