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MCLA
May 14, 2018
1:16 am

Bison Win MCLA D2 Title in Double OT

Ryan Stover drove in from the right side and scored with 1:39 left in the second overtime period, giving the North Dakota State Bison the 2018 MCLA Division II National Championship powered by Under Armour.

It is the first national championship for the Bison (12-2), which avenged a pair of earlier losses to St. Thomas (15-2) this season.

It was a tight game from the beginning with the Tommies clinging to a 4-3 lead at halftime. St. Thomas took the biggest lead of the game at 7-5 in the third quarter but NDSU fought back in the fourth quarter to tie the game at seven apiece.

St. Thomas had a chance to win the game in regulation as they were given a two-man advantage on a push and delay of game call on NDSU. The Tommies couldn’t break through, however, as Noah Orham made one of his 11 saves to send the game into overtime.

Both teams had chances in the first overtime, but couldn’t break through. Midway through the second extra session, Stover emerged from a scramble at midfield and drove in to bury the championship goal.

Alec Larson led the Bison with a hat trick while NDSU defender Evan Schraut was named the tournament MVP.

Jack Stanchfield had two goals and an assist in the losing effort while Patrick Jackson made eight saves.

Watch the Bison vs. Tommies on-demand:

MCLA

The Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) is a confederacy of 10 non-varsity college lacrosse conferences featuring over 200 teams in two divisions across 43 states and two countries. The MCLA provides a governing structure similar to the NCAA, consisting of eligibility rules, national polls, and a national tournament to decide national champions for both Divisions I and II. On an individual scope, the MCLA’s rules and structure promote “virtual varsity” lacrosse. On a national scale, the MCLA’s infrastructure supports a level playing field through eligibility rules and enforcement, along with the use of NCAA rules of play. Providing a quality college lacrosse experience where varsity lacrosse does not yet exist, the purpose of the MCLA is to provide access to the collegiate game for those who seek it.