Following up his last MCLA article, Andrew Golden is back getting us caught up on last week’s MCLA games.
DISCLAIMER: Each team’s national ranking is based on what it was at the time the game was played and may/are not up to date with the most recent rankings released.
Varsity Club Lacrosse Performance of the Week: Mason Moon (BYU)
The 2022 season has seen many phenomenal performances by MCLA goalies all across the country. Some make more than 20 saves, scoring, or a combination of the two. This past weekend, Mason Moon of BYU turned in an 18 save performance against No. 3 Liberty and then a 14 save effort in another win against NC State. For his efforts, he has earned the MCLA Division 1 PEARL Goalie of the Week and the Varsity Club Lacrosse Performance of the Week.
Moon, a senior, has been nothing shy of outstanding for BYU this season. He has stood tall in large-caliber games and holds a 66.1 save percentage on the season thus far. A large part of BYU’s 13-1 record is due to Moon’s efforts in the net, especially after taking down a top-five team in Liberty during their Midnight Madness game on Friday night.
The senior goalie hails from Frisco, TX, a familiar town to anyone who keeps their eye on top lacrosse recruits. He attended Allen High School, home of the Eagles. It is no surprise then that he has had success at the collegiate level.
In addition to being a great netminder, Moon is known as a tremendous friend on and off the field. His coach notes that he is the anchor of the defense. One can imagine that this team’s success is not all about their lacrosse skills but having great interpersonal relationships the way Moon has with his teammates.
As mentioned, Moon’s BYU Cougars currently sit at 13-1 with their only loss being against Virginia Tech who has been a force in the 2022 season. The team also leads the MCLA Division 1 Rocky Mountain Lacrosse Conference without a close second. Eventually, conference tournaments and the national tournament are both just around the corner. Teams will rely on players like Moon to make a run into the postseason in the hopes of earning some hardware.
Monday, April 4th
Cal Poly: 17
Stanford: 8
Solid WCLL win for Cal Poly, Luke Mikolajewski (4G, 2A, 6GB) and Matti Toivola stepped up big for the Mustangs. Brian Hanley (65%, 14GB, 2G) and Dash Tsai (5G, 1A) played well for Stanford.
Wednesday, April 6th
#24 Bridgewater State: 16
Worcester State: 12
Bears hold on to beat a very good DIII Worcester State, Time Keefe (4G, 3A) and Nic Mathieu (4G) led the offense while Isaac Moore (5GB) held down the defense. Blake Thorne (6G, 1A) and Brian Cerow (4G, 1A) were outstanding for the Lancers.
#15 UC San Diego: 23
UC Irvine: 7
Tritons get their first SLC DII South win in dominating fashion. Austin Ortel (5G, 8A) played well as usual with help from Nick Krolikowski (6G, 2A). Taylor Fialkowski (4G, 1A) and Arham Aijaz (53%, 26S) played well for Irvine.
Thursday, April 7th
Simon Fraser: 19
Boise State: 17
One of the grittiest wins of the season, SFU comes back from down six goals, two separate times, including once with three minutes in the game and go on an 8-1 run in the 4th to clinch at least a spot in the PNCLL playoffs. Nolan Nelson (4G, 2A) and Conor Nichols (7S, 78%) were the stars of the game for SFU. Ryan Henning (5G, 1A) played well for BSU.
#5 (DII) Rhode Island: 13
UMass Dartmouth: 6
Rams clinch 1st in the CLC DII behind Keegan Riley (3G, 3A) and Anthony Guarino (4G, 2A). They look to make a run at Nationals this year. Kevin Swenson, Stevie Kolodko, and Thomas Lazare had two each for UMD.
Friday, April 8th
#21 Utah Valley: 13
Boise State: 9
UVU gets a solid OCC win thanks to Max Sturgill (20S, 69%), Remington Peterson (6GB), and Chad Renslow (2G, 2A). Ryan Henning (4G, 1A) played well for the Broncos.
Tennessee: 13
#24 Georgia: 10
Tennessee has already been knocked out of ALC play, but at least they get to celebrate a ranked win over an SEC rival. Zach Janus (24S, 71%) was outstanding in net with help from Nick Gold (5GB, 1G) on defense. Ethan Holthaus (2G, 2A) led the offense. This loss might end up hurting UGA’s at-large chances, although they do have a lot of solid wins and can still win the SELC.
#25 Colorado: 13
Texas A&M: 7
Colorado beats one of the best in the LSA to add to their at-large resume. Trevor Clark (19S, 73%) and Jack McIntyre (3G, 1A) were the stars of the game. Alex Sanson (2G, 1A) and Eli Engelhardt (2G) led the Aggies offense. Despite the loss they still have a chance to win the LSA.
#5 Virginia Tech: 15
NC State: 11
VT clinches the 1 see in the ALC South behind Aidan Smith’s (5G, 1A), Grayson Barker’s (4G, 1A), Daniel Gafney’s (73%, 16GB, and Jared Cole’s (3G, 3A) performances. Reid Koonce (4G, 1A) and Alex Duggleby (21S, 58% played well for NC State. With close losses to Clemson, Liberty, JMU, and VT, NC State could be a bid stealer come tournament play.
#17 (DII) Minnesota Duluth: 7
#3 (DII) St. Thomas: 6
Huge UMLC DII upset showing that the conference is anyone’s to win as usual. Matthew Friesen (4G) led the Bulldogs offense while Luke Schmidt (10GB) and Gunner Arens (18S, 72%) played well for the Tommies.
#7 California: 18
Nevada: 6
Big WCLL North win for Cal to increase their playoff chances. Ethan Deller (2G, 2A) and Jacob Steensma (3G, 1A) played well for the Golden Bears. Nevada’s got one more conference game to finish the season against Sonoma State.
#9 Minnesota: 14
Michigan State: 10
Minnesota already clinched 1st in the UMCL West, but this win should give them confidence going into the tournament. Will Harris and Jonas Waskosy had four each for the Golden Gophers. Connor Hamilton (2G, 2A) and Ryan Lotz (3G, 1A) played well for MSU.
#1 BYU: 12
#3 Liberty: 11
One of the best games this season so far played during Liberty’s Midnight Madness. Mason Moon (18S, 62%) and Levi Smith (5GB) held down the defense while Seth Garff (3G, 2A) and Alton Taylor (3G) paced the Cougars offense. Cooper Branham (3G) and Keaton Mohs (2G, 1A) played well for the Flames as usual.
Saturday, April 9th
Purdue: 12
#6 (DII) Grand Valley State: 11
Nick Korell (2G, 3A) and Ryan Schellin (2G, 3A) paced the offense as usual, Jack Mattson (87%, 9GB) was outstanding on faceoffs and Daniel “Super Gremlin” Plue (54%, 13S) made three clutch saves at the end of the game to seal the win. Luke Tardich (6G, 1A) and Ethan Geary (2G, 1A) played well for the Lakers.
#17 Colorado State: 13
Michigan State: 9
Solid OCC win for Colorado State that will help their at-large chances. MSU had seven different players record points led by Connor Hamilton (1G, 2A).
Cal Poly: 14
#12 Santa Clara: 9
Not only is this a huge upset, but it also puts Cal Poly one step closer to clinching a spot in the WCLL playoffs. Luke Mikolajewski (4G, 5A) went off on offense and Tom Baquerizo (13S, 59%) held it down in net. SCU’s game against Stanford is now a must win for them.
#13 UC San Diego: 12
#21 Northern Arizona: 10
Potential SLC final matchup. Austin Ortel (2G, 6A) and Austin Weinshelbaum (88%, 12GB) shine as usual for the Tritons. NAU’s balanced offense featured six different players with multiple points backstopped by Louis Penaflor (17S, 59%) in net.
#8 Georgia Tech: 14
New Hampshire: 8
Big OCC win for GT led by Asher Wagnon (3G) and Devin Raun (5G). Zach Keating (5G) played well for UNH who still have a chance to win the CLC.
#18 Chapman: 15
San Diego State: 7
Chapman gets one step closer to clinching a SLC playoff spot. Liam Nelson (7G) and Jack Berger (3G) were outstanding for the Panthers. SDSU is eliminated from SLC playoffs, but still had a lot of good games this season. Brian Davito (2G, 1A) played well this game.
#14 USC: 17
#7 California: 9
Huge OCC win for USC that will really help their at-large chances. Antoine Moats (4G) and Chris Alcaraz (2G, 3A) played well for the Trojans while Jack Ronan (1G, 2A) and Jacob Steensma (1G, 2A) played well for Cal. Both teams make to look a run at their conference championships.
#2 Concordia Irvine: 8
#13 Arizona: 6
CUI clinches first in the SLC, Arizona still has a chance to clinch one of the other spots. Thomas Atella (21S, 72%) and Connor Willihnganz (7GB) played well for Arizona. Good chance these teams meet again in the playoffs.
#19 (DII) Cal State San Marcos: 17
San Diego: 8
CSUSM clinches at least a spot in the SLC DII playoffs thanks to Jason Thibeault (6G, 5A) and Cole Mazzocco (8GB).
#12 (DII) Montana: 9
#11 (DII) North Dakota State: 7
Solid OCC win for Montana to strength their at-large resume. Grizzlies had six different players record multiple points. NDSU now looks towards the UMLC tournament in two weeks.
#7 (DII) Utah State: 11
Air Force: 5
USU gets a big RMLC DII win over a solid AFA team. Berklee Baskin (12S, 71%) did well in net and Kaden Underwood (7GB) dominated on the ground. Nicholas Capannelli had 13 wins to 1 loss at the X as well as two goals and an assist for Air Force.
#1 BYU: 11
NC State: 8
Alton Taylor (4G, 1A) and Jake Halversen (2G, 2A) lead the BYU offense. NC State was led by Reid Koonce (2G, 2A) and Conner Kryszak (3G, 1A). This is NC State’s 5th loss to a ranked team by five goals or less.
#10 (DII) Florida Gulf Coast: 14
North Florida: 4
Grant Shafer (12S, 75%), Jayson Andino (1G, 6A), and Ryan Zimny (6GB, 89%) help lead the Eagles in this dominating win. Will Stanley (2G, 1A) played well for UNF. FGCU faceoffs next against GSU in SELC DII playoffs.
#3 (DII) St. Thomas: 11
#4 (DII) Dayton: 5
Gunner Arens (13S, 72%) and Garrett Hoch (5G, 3A) help the Tommies get a solid ranked win and UMLC win. Very good chance these teams play again in conference playoffs or national playoffs.
#17 (DII) UC Davis: 17
San Jose State: 5
Aggies complete a perfect WCLL DII season with the win. Trevor Leong (2G, 4A) and Matthew Sutfin (2G, 5A) played well for UC Davis. Jackson Christopulos (3G) led the Spartans offense.
#20 Grand Canyon: 10
#11 Arizona State: 5
The win really helps GCU’s playoff chances, but both teams still have a chance to clinch at this point, ASU’s game next week against Arizona is now a must win however. Cameron Gilmore (4G) stepped up for GCU and Jack Rogers (3G) played well for ASU.
#4 Florida: 13
Florida State: 7
UF not only beats their MCLA rival, but also clinches a first-round bye in the SELC playoffs. Will Halligan (4G, 1A), Will Asher (3G, 1A), and Matt Corazon (15S, 68%) all played well for the Gators. Ryan Farquhar (2G) and Alex Houk (2G, 1A) played well for FSU.
Miami: 9
#22 Coastal Carolina: 7
Big upset for Miami led by Tyler Cahill (7GB, 72%) and Carlo Paz. Hurricanes finish the year 5-3 in their first season back in the MCLA, so the future is looking good for them. Cameron Fagan (7GB, 2G) played well for the Chants.
Sunday, April 10th
#17 (DII) Minnesota Duluth: 15
#4 (DII) Dayton: 12
UMD with two huge UMLC DII wins on the weekend, losing only one faceoff in the game gave plenty of possessions to help Matthew Friesen (3G, 2A) and Cooper Eidem (4G, 1A) lead the offense. UMLC DII playoffs could go anyway.
#9 Minnesota: 12
#17 Colorado State: 9
Minnesota completes a perfect 15-0 MCLA season and has their eyes on the UMLC championship now. Jack Courington (21S, 70%) and Kevin Kvaal (3G, 2A) were the stars of the game for the Gophers. CSU looks to bounce back next week against Colorado.
#11 (DII) North Dakota State: 13
#8 (DII) Montana State: 12
Solid OCC win to helps NDSU’s at-large resume. Both teams still have a good chance to make a run at their respective conference championships.
#16 (DII) UNC Charlotte: 18
#20 (DII) Wake Forest: 7
UNCC takes over 1st in the ALC DII. Nick Ferens (7G, 6A) and Noah Becker (18S, 72%) were outstanding for the 49ers. Dakin Moore (2G) and ben Snavely (5GB) played well for WF.
#25 Colorado: 14
#19 Texas: 10
Buffs clinch a spot in the RMLC playoffs. Christian DeAngelis (86%, 11GB) and Christian Reno (2G, 1A, 5GB) played well for Texas. Their next game against UVU is now a must win.
#15 (DII) Florida Atlantic: 11
#22 (DII) Coastal Carolina: 10
Big OCC win to help FAU’s MCLA at-large chances, attack duo of Drake Summer (3G, 2A) and Kyle Romano (3G, 2A) dominates as usual. CCU clinched at least a spot in the ALC DII playoffs but can get the 2 seed with a win over UNCC in two weeks.
#8 Georgia Tech: 14
#15 Northeastern: 9
GT’s 2nd CLC win on the weekend to strength their at-large resume. Gino Pagliaro (18S, 67%) and Brooks Baro (3G, 1A) played well for GT. Bradley Peterson (3G, 4A) played well for the Huskies who still have three CLC games left to play.
Nevada: 10
#14 USC: 9
One of the biggest MCLA upsets of the year. Doesn’t affect conference standings, but Nevada has been solid all year and are probably feeling really good about the win going into their final game against Sonoma State. This loss will hurt USC’s at-large chances, but they still have a chance to win the SLC.
#13 (DII) UC San Diego: 8
Loyola Marymount: 7
Good chance these teams meet again in the playoffs. Austin Ortel (3G, 3A) and Miles Felker (5GB) were the stars of the game.
