Concordia Rolls to SLC Glory

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Using a devastating first-half run, Concordia-Irvine pulled away from Cal State Fullerton, eventually downing the Titans, 14-8, in the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference (SLC) Division II championship game at La Costa Canyon High School on Sunday afternoon.

With the conference championship, Concordia-Irvine (14-0) will head to the 2016 MCLA National Championships powered by Under Armour, which occurs from May 9-14 in Orange County, Calif. It will be the fifth consecutive appearance for the Eagles, who lost in the finals last spring.

The two teams were locked in a tight affair with Concordia holding a narrow, 5-4 lead over Fullerton (10-4) early in the second quarter. Showing the explosiveness that has kept them at No. 2 in the polls all season, the Eagles scored four straight to take a 9-4 lead at halftime. Freshman attackman Brandon Mayo scored three of the four markers in the pivotal run.

From there on out, the lead ranged from four-to-six goals with the Titans unable to put together sustained runs to threaten Concordia. Fullerton will wait to hear if they are included at nationals as an at-large selection.

2016 SLC Division II Tournament Results

First Round
#2N Northern Arizona d. #3S Cal State San Marcos, 19-10
#2S San Diego d. #3N Biola, 27-8

Semifinals
#1S Concordia-Irvine d. #2N Northern Arizona, 23-6
#1N Cal State Fullerton d. #2S San Diego, 14-11

Finals
#1S Concordia-Irvine d. #1N Cal State Fullerton, 14-8