There is no denying that MCLA lacrosse doesn’t receive the amount of coverage that it deserves. In effort to fix this issue, Lacrosse All Stars has partnered up with the Varsity Club Lacrosse team to cover everything MCLA this season.
This coverage will include game recaps, program interviews, and of course gear reviews.
Following up his last MCLA article, Andrew Golden is back getting us caught up on last week’s games.
Friday, February 11
Dominican: 16
#20 Oregon: 15
Dominican gets a huge upset in their first MCLA game of the season. After going 1-6 last season, it looks like the Pangs have really turned it around. The offense had ten different goal scorers led by Tommy Dell’Erario (3G, 3A) and Maxwell Pierce (2G, 3A).
The faceoff unit of Charles Daniels (11-3), Ethan May (17-6), and LSM Noah Gibson (7GB, 1G) gave the team plenty of possessions.
#12 Boston College: 10
#7 South Carolina: 7
BC upsets the defending MCLA National Champions in a close game. Lafayette (NCAA DI) transfer, Nick Luzzo, had 4 goals in the first game of the season for BC. Defense was held down by five different players with 3+ ground balls each and goalie Zachary Yorio’s 14 saves. South Carolina won the last game against the Eagles back in 2019.
#21 Florida: 12
Georgia: 11
Florida wins off a Georgia own goal in overtime. Florida’s scoring was led by Nolan Testa (2G, 1A) and James Dugan (2G, 1A). Bulldog LSM duo Aidan McKenna (7GB) and Austin Trimble (5GB) continue to play well. Kole Piercy (3G) and Riley Webster (4G, 1A) led the scoring.
#6 (DII) North Dakota State: 9
Iowa State: 5
Solid effort by Iowa State against one of the best teams in Division II. Kory Dunningan played well at faceoff for ISU going 13-2 with 10 GB. Max Gula helped out on defense with 6 GBs and Donnie Bormann led the team in scoring with 2 goals. Bison LSM Ryan Donabauer went off for 11 GBs, while Nate Germaine (3G) and Chase Schlorhaufer (1G, 2A) led the scoring.
Utah: 12
#17 (DII) Utah State: 7
Big upset in the RMLC DII against two in-state rivals. Utah beats the defending RMLC DII Champs to get their first win of the season and first win by an MCLA team with a varsity program ever.
Utah left the MCLA after the 2018 season to become a NCAA DI team. The MCLA did not allow schools with varsity teams to compete in the league up until this season when the rule was changed.
#9 Clemson: 13
NC State: 9
Clemson proves why they’re the ranked the 9th best team in the country with this win over a very good NC State team.
Vanderbilt: 10
Purdue: 8
Vanderbilt gets their second win of the season in a very close game. Purdue almost makes the comeback after being down 8-4 at half. Brayden Webb make some crazy saves to keep them in the game. Wyatt Bucki (4GB), Mike Kuske (4GB) and the rest of the defense played well. On offense, Ryan Schellin (3G) and Jared Meltzner (3A) led the scoring.
#14 Virginia Tech: 23
East Carolina: 3
Virginia Tech dominates East Carolina led by 2021 ALC Rookie of the Year Aidan Smith (6G), Jared Cole (5G, 1A), and handful of other multiple point scorers. This was ECU’s first game in the ALC as well as the first game for former ECU midfielder and now head coach, Ben Lombardi.
Texas: 10
Southern Methodist: 6
First game and first win for PLL Defenseman and current head coach, Kyle Hartzell. Very close in-conference game for the always competitive LSA.
Texas State: 17
Texas Tech: 3
Texas State is looking like a strong competitor in the LSA in Daniel Ryan’s first year as head coach. Nate English dominated at the X (10-3, 6 GB), while Caleb Cole (6G, 1A) and Max Combs (3G, 2A) took care of the scoring.
MSU Denver: 25
Nebraska: 7
Ten different players had points for the Roadrunners with Joseph Machado (3G, 4A), Zack Pfannenstiel (6G, 1A), and Carter Machado (7G, 2A) leading the way. Branden Grindstaff (3G) and Britton Shiavone (2G) were solid for Nebraska.
#1 BYU: 19
Washington State: 3
The reigning MCLA Invitational Tournament Champions easily handled Washington State in their first game of the season.
#7 (DII) Montana: 21
Pacific Lutheran: 0
Montana dominated in all areas of the game, not only by putting up 21 goals, but also by only allowing 1 shot and losing 3 faceoffs. Sixteen different players had points led by Miles Hess (2G, 3A) and Luke Pruitt (4G, 1A).
Saturday, February 12
#5 California: 14
#6 Cal Poly: 3
It is early, but Cal is looking like the National Championship favorite after this win. They lost in the 2019 championship and were not able to play at all in 2021. Golden Bears goalie, Zach Blake, had 13 saves and a 81% save percentage. 5th year attack duo of Jake Pistotnik (1G, 6A) and Brendan Cook (2G, 3A) look as dangerous as ever.
Georgia: 15
#13 Florida State: 12
Huge upset for the Dawgs who have far exceed everyone’s expectations so far. Riley Walker and Riordan Shina each had 4 goals, while on defense they dominated the ground ball game. Goalie Reed McCall had 28 saves with a 70% save percentage.
Definitely not a bad loss for FSU, who I’m sure will come back from this.
UC Santa Barbara: 17
Sonoma State: 9
The Gauchos have been proving their preseason ranking wrong so far especially with this win. Isaac Baker (5G, 1A), Fynn Chorak, Camden Dwelly, Jake Nolls and Lucas Menedez all had four points.
Washington: 12
#7 (DII) Montana: 11
Jackson Keeners scored the game winner with 0.5 seconds remaining. Faceoff man, Dylan Vita, dominated at the X and added two goals with Connor Carlson tallying 4 goals. Montana looks to bounce back next week against St. Thomas and Minnesota Duluth.
Missouri: 5
Southern Methodist: 3
Missouri gets their first LSA win after joining the conference this summer. Connor Jones (2G) and Alex Sahil (1G, 1A) led the offense while the defense and goalie Dylan Radke (22S, 88SV%) were outstanding.
#16 (DII) Florida Atlantic: 13
Georgia Southern: 5
The Owls continue to dominate in all ways of the game. Brandon Huff went 70% for faceoffs with 10 GBs. Drake Summers (5G, 3A) and Kyle Romano (3G, 1A) led the offense along with Harrison Spiker having a 64% save percentage in net.
Georgia Southern was led by Kevin Daniels (3G, 1A) and Mason Bruning (2G).
#11 Concordia-Irvine: 19
UCLA: 10
Cade Pope dominated from the X for CUI going 85% with 22 wins and 15 GBs. Andrew Buckley (5G) and Brett Masaki (4G, 1A) led the offense. Rhett Farmer (3G, 1A) and Max Iseler (2G, 1A) kept it relatively close for the Bruins.
Dominican: 17
Stanford: 11
The Pangs are off to a hot start going 2-0 against two good teams to start the season. Maxwell Pierce (3G, 3A) and Ryan Dickinson (2G, 3A) led the offensive. Stanford looks to bounce back next week against Pac-12 rivals UCLA and USC.
Texas A&M: 6
Texas Christian: 5
Texas A&M wins a big conference game in OT behind Josh Fox (2G, 2A) and Connor Legg (2G). Hayden Lunde (1G, 2A) and Will Gambrell (3A) led the Horned Frogs. Both goalies and defense were outstanding.
Northwest Nazarene: 10
Washington State: 9
Division II Northwest Nazarene beats their first DI opponent in Washington State. Hayden Diggins and Hunter Stratford each had a hattrick. NNU gets their first win after just starting last season.
#22 Minnesota: 16
Iowa State: 1
Minnesota easily handled UMLC opponent, Iowa State, at home. They look to repeat as UMLC Champs this year. Jonas Waskosy (6G, 4A) and Braydon Crum (2G, 2A) led the offense while Lars Rostad (90SV%, 10S) led the defense.
Santa Barbara CC: 17
Cal State Fullerton: 12
SB CC gets their first win of the season and the first win for a community college in the MCLA. For Fullerton, Bryce Wada (4G), Preston Jaurequi (2G, 1A), and Billy Rose (3G), led the offense while Kelly Petro (22 S) played well in net.
#1 BYU: 18
Boise State: 5
The number one MCLA team in the country goes 2-0 on their first weekend of games.
Western Michigan: 10
East Carolina: 7
Western Michigan travelled down to Virginia in their first season in the UMLC to get their first win of the season. David Hughey (2G, 2A, 6GB) and Austin Julian (3G) played well for the Pirates.
Indiana: 11
#13 Louisville (NCLL DII): 10
IU wins a close one against a very good MCLA team in Louisville. Cole Cerone (6G) and former Bellarmine player, Justin Hyde, led the offense for Louisville and Gus Kalas held down the defense while also have 2 goals.
#15 Utah Valley: 23
#17 (DII) Utah State: 8
UVU defeats their DII in state rival easily. Utah State looks to bounce back next week in Minnesota where they play UMLC powerhouses, NSDU, SJU, UST, and UMD. Spencer Bishop has 2 goals for the Aggies.
Claremont: 29
Biola: 8
Claremont dominated in all facets of the game from start to finish. FO man Bryce Kelly (85%, 12GB, 1G, 1A), Wesey Dale (2G, 5A), Alex Albrecht (2G, 6A), and Jonathan Ip (4G, 2A) led the team statistically.
#14 (DII) UC Davis: 26
Chico State: 5
UC Davis dominated in their first DII game. The thirteen different point scorers were led by Will Johnson (6G) and Aiden Osgood (3G, 1A). Goalie Mason Johnston had a 70% SV with 12 saves. Freshmen LSM, Thomas Neill, had 5 GBs with a hattrick plus an assist which puts him at 8 goals and an assist in 3 games. Ben Highfill has 3 goals for Chico State.
#17 Arizona: 12
West Virginia: 4
West Virginia made the long trip all the way out west, but ultimately fell short to a very talented Arizona team.
#21 (DII) Cal State San Marcos: 17
Point Loma Nazarene: 6
San Marcos looks to win the SLC DII, and Point Loma is performing well in their first season ever. Jason Thibeault (3G, 4A) and Nick Pages (3G, 1A) stood out for the Cougars.
North Texas: 12
TAMU-Galveston: 10
Colton Harris took charge for the Sea Aggies on offense scoring 6 goals, while Billy Evon had 13 GBs and an assist with goalie Cameron Ordaz tallying 20 saves. The Mean Green look to continue their MCLA success next week against top DII team, Kennesaw State.
#20 (DII) Loyola Marymount: 21
UC Irvine: 6
UC Irvine kept it close in the first half, but LMU pulled away in the second half outscoring the Anteaters 13-3. Taylor Fialkowski and Owen Collins each had two goals for UCI.
MSU Denver: 16
Creighton: 6
The Roadrunners went 2-0 this weekend after beating Creighton. Braydan Hiebert (86%, 6GB, 1G, 4A), August Liveris (3G, 2A), and Joseph Machado (5G, 1A) all played well.
NC State: 16
Tennessee: 8
NC State improves to 3-1 with their only loss being to Clemson. UT looks to get their first win in two weeks against Auburn.
Texas State: 19
UT San Antonio: 8
The Bobcats were led by Nate English (80%, 16GB, 2G), Caleb Cole (4G, 4A), and Cade Beyer (7GB). Robert Brackett (3G), Seth Murphy (1G, 2A), and Logan Cantu (5 GB) stood out for the Roadrunners. Despite the loss, UTSA is still in good place for LSA DII, while Texas State is looking like a competitor in the LSA DI.
Houston: 15
TAMU-Corps of Cadets: 2
Houston is now in first place of the LSA DIII after this weekend. The Cougars are playing well since revamping their program the past year.
Purdue: 17
Illinois State: 1
Purdue easily dominated from start to finish only allowing one goal off a broken clear. Ten different Boilermakers recorded points led by Nick Korell (4G, 3A), Ryan Schellin (5G, 1A), and Jared Meltzner (3G, 3A). Andrew Golden had a nice ground ball at the end of the game.
Nebraska: 11
Oklahoma State: 5
Nebraska gets their first win of the season behind Ryan Page’s six goals. Marche Ashford (80% FO, 3GB) and Ben Smith (2G) kept the Cowboys in it all game.
Oklahoma: 19
Arkansas: 6
The Sooners get off to a great start to the season behind Clay Cutler (70%, 5G, 2A), Coles Manning (3G, 1A), and Michael Anderson (3G). Arkansas looks to bounce back next week against Texas Tech.
Central Washington: 27
Pacific Lutheran: 0
Keegan Sullivan (10G, 2A) and Hunter Graham (6G, 2A) took care of Pacific Lutheran easily. Defense only allowed three shots total, only one of which was on net.
Auburn: 12
Vanderbilt: 5
Auburn gets their first win of the season against a solid Vanderbilt team.
#12 (DII) Saint John’s: 9
University of Northwestern (NCAA DIII): 5
The Johnnies take care of a decent NCAA team at home.
Sunday, February 13
#6 Cal Poly: 12
#20 Oregon: 10
Cal Poly comes back after a brutal loss to Cal the day before. Oregon losses another close game against another good team. They get Nevada and Santa Clara at home next week.
#2 Georgia Tech: 10
#12 Boston College: 6
Yellow Jackets were led by Brooks Baro (2G, 4A) and Sam Eck (3G, 1A) against a BC team that beat the defending MCLA National Champs in South Carolina the day before.
#24 Grand Canyon: 11
West Virginia: 7
West Virginia made it a close one against one of the best teams in league after flying across the country to play them. The Mountaineers look to get their first win next week against IU at home.
#14 Virginia Tech: 17
Western Michigan: 5
Virginia Tech stays undefeated going into next week against South Carolina. Western Michigan looks to bounce back against Minnesota and Dominican.
NC State: 10
#24 (DII) UNC Charlotte: 9
NC State wins it with 2 minutes left to improve to 4-1. After beating one DI last week, UNCC comes up just short against one this week. Despite the loss, the 49ers are looking like one of the top teams in DII so far.
South Florida: 8
#16 (DII) Florida Atlantic: 6
USF starts 3-0 behind Ryan Kerr (3G, 3A) and Collin Fredrickson (2G, 1A). The Bulls’ defense also did a great job of shutting down FAU’s top scorer Drake Summers. The Owls first lost since 2019. Goalie Harrison Spilker (19S, 70%) kept them in it all game. Nick Stone (2G, 1A) and Colin Hunter (2G) help them out offensively.
#9 Clemson: 16
Tennessee: 9
Jacob Magelssen (6G) and Garret Brennan (3G, 2A) were 2 of the 10 point scorers for the Tigers. The Clemson program as a whole is looking dangerous all around this year.
Auburn: 12
Purdue: 9
Great game by both teams that was close all the way through. Brad Backlund’s hatrick and Ryan Schellin’s four goals kept the Boilermakers in it offensively. Ryan Albano’s 6 GBs off faceoffs and “Prison Mike” Kuske’s 8 GBs on defense gave Purdue plenty of possessions.
Auburn plays a tough Clemson team at home next week at home.
#23 (DII) Wake Forest: 13
Davidson (Club): 3
Wake Forest, who recently got their Twitter back, gets their first win of the season in their first year in the ALC. Sam Capizzi (2G, 1A) and Dawson Muller (2G, 2A) led the scoring for the Demon Deacons.
Texas: 24
Texas Tech: 0
After winning a close one against SMU last week, Texas makes a statement against Texas Tech. Texas will certainly a program to look out for this season.
LSU: 9
Tulane: 7
Six different players scored for LSU led by Mason Duhon’s hattrick. LSM Jackson Rosebush had 5 GBs.
Vanderbilt: 9
Illinois State: 6
Illinois State comes just short of getting their first win of the season against a solid Vanderbilt team.
Creighton: 12
Oklahoma State: 6
Payton Simmons, Ethan Soltis, and Marche Ashford each had two goals for the Cowboys. Creighton gets their first win of the season.
San Diego: 9
Santa Barbara CC: 5
Westin Priestley (2G, 5A) and Gabe Benso (5G, 1A) held it down for the Toreros.
Nevada: 19
Sierra Nevada: 2
Nevada takes care of MCLA DII Sierra Nevada easily.
