Rearview: Monday Session Two

(Photo by Lance Wendt)

 by E.J. Freeman | MCLA.us

RICHMOND-  In the games with the closest seeding matchups we had some close games and our first upsets.

No. 9 Georgia over No. 8 Arizona 12-11 OT - In a game of runs  Arizona jumped out to a 3-0 lead over Georgia early.  From there the Dawgs slowly worked their way back into the game tie it at 4 after one.  From there it was back and forth.  Both goalies stood tall turning away several shots.  Early in the fourth quarter the Georgia defense stood tall refusing to let the Arizona offense gain any meaningful separation while the Georgia offense slowly built a lead.  Georgia caught Arizona in the sub game to build the lead to 11-7 and the Wildcats looked dead.  The Wildcats reeled off three straight goals and looked doomed after two failed clears in the last two minutes, but had an extra man opportunity with 20 seconds left.  After two wide wing shots, the Wildcats had one last opportunity and scored on a low shot from the wing with 1.1 seconds left in regulation.  The Wildcats won the faceoff to start overtime, but were unable to convert to a possession and committed a penalty trying to ride.  The Dawgs took the ball, but failed to score on the extra man opportunity.  Lawson Jones got the ball on the right wing with a short stick match up and made his way to the middle and fired a high bouncer past the goalie to push the Dawgs to the next round against Brigham Young.

No. 9 UNC-Wilmington over No. 8 Florida Atlantic 15-14-  The Seahawks and Owls brought their feathery battle to Richmond.  In game featuring two goalies with jaw dropping save percentages it was surprising to see the over hit.  The Owls built a 7-3 lead and it looked as though the tournament veterans would cruise past the newcomers.  UNC-Wilmington never lost faith and they kept working their way back.  By halftime the score was 9-7 Florida Atlantic.  The teams kept trading goals and the Seahawks tied the game going into the fourth quarter.  UNC-Wilmington got ahead 15-14 and with 20 seconds left Florida Atlantic had the ball and called timeout rather than pursue early offense.  The Owls got to the middle of the field and a Seahawk defender got just enough of a trail check to send the shot wide and the Seahawks backed up the shot and win the game.  The Seahawks will move on to the quarterfinals against St. Thomas.

No. 7 Clemson over No. 10 UC Santa Barbara 12-8 – The Tigers coming off a loss in the ALC semifinals were clearly primed and ready for this game.  In a popular upset pick the Tigers mauled the Gauchos 6-0 in the first quarter.  The Tigers controlled every part of the field for most of the game leading 8-2 at halftime.  The Gauchos made a comeback effort, but could not get closer than 8-5 in the third quarter.  The Tigers will face Utah Valley tomorrow in the quarterfinals.

No. 10 Rhode Island over No. 7 Montana 13-10 -   The Rams quick strike offense raced out to start the game leading 4-0 after the first quarter.  The Griz found their footing and played the Rams even over the last three quarters, but the hole was too deep.  The Rams created too much transition for the Griz to handle and the shots they generated against Griz goalie Joey Cortner were too much.  Wil Bankoski led the way for the Rams with four goals.