Michigan State Wins First Title

SALT LAKE CITY – Charlie Pistner scored four goals and the Michigan State defense held Chapman to its lowest goal total of the season as the Spartans won the 2018 MCLA Division I National Championships powered by Under Armour with a 10-8 win over the Panthers.

The title is the first for Michigan State (18-1), which was wearing throwback green jerseys all week honoring their first season back in 1963.

VISIT THE MICHIGAN STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPAREL STORE

Chapman grabbed an early lead, taking a 2-1 edge after the first quarter but the tempo of the game favored the Spartans. Michigan State rallied in the second quarter to tie the game at halftime, 4-4.

State took the lead in the third period, leading by a goal, 7-6 heading into the final frame. The lead expanded to 9-6 in the fourth and was still 10-7 late in the game.

Chapman (16-1) pulled one back to cut the lead to 10-8, but they could get no closer.

Kevin Boland, who finished with 10 saves for Michigan State in net, was named the tournament MVP.

Dylan Garner capped off his illustrious Chapman career with a hat trick to lead the Panthers while Zach Rich turned away seven shots.

Michigan State becomes the first first-time champion to win the Division I tournament since Grand Canyon did it in 2015.