No. 4 Georgia Tech Stifles No. 13 BYU
ATLANTA -- Georgia Tech opened the 2020 season by welcoming Brigham Young to The Flats for a much anticipated early season Top 15 match up on Saturday evening with the Yellow Jackets (1-0) capturing a gritty, 9-4 victory over the Cougars (1-1).
The Jackets were able to get the win in a hard-fought, grind-it-out affair, highlighted by defense and effort play.
No. 4 Tech opened the scoring after a long possession before the game went back-and-forth, with the Jackets creating several opportunities. They were unable to convert, however, allowing the No. 13 Cougars tied the game up.
Late in the quarter, the Jackets were able to get a second goal to end the first quarter with a slim lead.
Tech's defense was stout all night. The Jackets rotated several defensemen through the game and were able to keep the pressure on the Cougars with the fresh legs.
Both Alex Crombie and Gino Pagliaro played a half in the net, combining for 13 saves.
The Jackets created some separation in the second quarter with a four-goal outburst before a long dry spell for both teams.
The game entered the fourth quarter with the Jackets leading 6-2. The Cougars went to a relentless press ride and were able to possess the ball for most of the first half of the fourth quarter.
BYU was able to convert the possession advantage into a two-goal run to cut the deficit to 6-4 with 5:29 remaining after an extra man goal.
The Jackets were able to answer back when Riley Callaghan sliced a skip pass to Conrad McEvoy for a goal. Tech would add two more goals in the next minute and a half and was able to finish off the 9-4 win.