The AAC and KCAC have both concluded their regular season games and have moved onto their conference tournaments. The results of which should hopefully start to paint a clearer picture of what teams in each conference have a shot at the NAIA playoffs. The WHAC on the other hand, is getting into the thick of its regular season and have a few teams looking to force their way into the playoff conversation. Let’s see how games shook out this past weekend.
Coaches Poll: HERE
William Penn (8) – Columbia (10)
One of the teams that was vying for a spot in the playoffs was William Penn. I used the past tense because after this game, their season is likely over. While it may be disappointing to the Statesmen, it is a good sign of big things to come for a program in just their second full season. Columbia on the other hand may have the opportunity to make their case for a spot in the playoffs. Columbia started the season 2-5, but if they upset Saint Ambrose, they may find a way in. Bryce Peltier in net is playing just as good as any other goalie in the country in the second half of the season.
#7 Webber (8) – #4 Keiser (9)
After these two teams played a one goal game just six days prior, they found themselves in a very peculiar situation over the weekend. This one however saw the defenses settle in as they had plenty of time to study the scout of the other teams and slow each other down. Webber scored first but Keiser seemed to be in control early and held a one goal advantage at the end of the first half. In the second half the two teams would exchange goals back to back until Houston Finlayson would put the Warriors up by one at the start of the fourth quarter.
However that would be their last goal of the game while Keiser added two more including the game winner from Cole Stassi. Before this contest, both teams were in control of their own destiny, now it appears as though Webber may be on the outside looking in. However, they do hold a strong resume including a wins over Siena Heights and LTU out of the WHAC. That double overtime loss to Aquinas has to sting a little more right now.
#5 Aquinas (16) – Lourdes (7)
Early in this game, it appeared that this game was going to be a little close for comfort for the Saints. In the first quarter the teams exchanged goals in what felt like every possession and Aquinas scored one more than Lourdes. The second quarter was more of the same. The second half was a different story. The Aquinas defense woke up and Boerigter stood strong in net. Lourdes would only score one more goal the rest of the game. AQ on the other hand, couldn’t seem to miss and poured in nine goals the rest of the game which led to a comfortable 16-7 final score. They were led by a six goal output from Mitch Haggart. This Aquinas team can now look forward to an exciting matchup against Siena Heights for 2nd place in the WHAC.
Siena Heights (12) – Madonna (9)
Siena Heights always seem to come out of the gates firing. Eric Csizmadia and Jake Gallaher each scored two goals out of the gate, leading SHU to a 5-2 lead in the first quarter. Madonna would try to keep it interesting, but every time they would score, the Saints would have an answer. The Crusaders could never close the gap and would eventually lose 12-9. Siena Heights is one of the hottest teams in the country and looking to carry that momentum into their showdown with Aquinas.
