Brigham Young Downs Champs
SALT LAKE CITY – There will be a new champion at the conclusion of the 2018 MCLA Division I National Championships powered by Under Armour as the reigning king has fallen in the first round.
No. 7 Brigham Young (15-3) d. No. 10 Grand Canyon (9-4), 14-11
Bolstered by five goals and an assist from Chris Severson, Brigham Young slowly pulled away from defending national champion Grand Canyon to post a 14-11 victory.
The Cougars took a 2-1 lead after one and it ballooned to two at the half, 6-4. Trailing 10-7 heading into the final quarter, the Lopes attempted to mount a charge but BYU had an answer for every fledgling run.
Dalon Hampshire made 11 saves to pick up the win while his opposite number, Brad Hookom, also posted 11 stops.
Cam Wengreniuk battled through injury to scored five goals along with an assist to lead the Lopes offense.
Brigham Young will face RMLC rival Utah in the quarterfinals.
No. 6 Virginia Tech (13-4) d. No. 11 Boston College (10-5), 7-6
In a grind-it-out affair, Virginia Tech mounted an unexpected second half comeback to bounce Boston College, 7-6.
The Eagles appeared to be in control of the game, taking a 3-0 lead into the half with a dominant defensive effort that perplexed the Hokies offense.
Virginia Tech still trailed 6-3 early in the fourth quarter, but a 4-0 finish to the contest was the difference.
Chris Low and Wian Coetzer both potted pair of goals in the win while Matthew Hermann was credited with three saves.
Spencer Bromley had a pair of goals to lead Boston College.
Virginia Tech will clash with Michigan State in the quarterfinals.
No. 5 South Carolina (17-1) d. No. 12 Georgia Tech (10-6), 10-4
South Carolina snapped a 2-2 first-quarter tie with an 8-2 run to finish the game, running away from Georgia Tech for a 10-4 victory.
Will Lansinger had a hat trick for the Gamecocks, who were also aided by an 11-save performance from Colin Hains.
Conrad McEvoy had two goals and an assist for the Yellow Jackets.
South Carolina will play California in the quarterfinals.
No. 9 Liberty (9-5) d. No. 8 Concordia-Irvine (12-3)
On the strength of a 6-1 third quarter, Liberty flipped a 5-3 halftime deficit into a 9-6 lead that the Flames would never lose on their way to an 11-7 victory over Concordia-Irvine.
Derrick Esh and Chase Wright both pocketed hat tricks for Liberty while Brayden Harriman made 11 saves.
Jacob Aho led Concordia with three goals and one assist. Tyler Schweikert had a solid day in net, stopping 15 shots.
Liberty will square off with Chapman in the quarterfinals.