SANTA CLARA, Calif. – In some ways this is an unfortunate matchup because both Santa Clara and Minnesota are talented teams that could take down favorites.

Alas, the virtual seeding process can be a bear.

Minnesota enters the tournament as the only representative out the UMLC after being the presumptive favorite to take down that conference again.

D-I Round 1: Minnesota at Santa Clara | https://t.co/tXSKGN8UTN #virtualmcla20
— MCLA Tournament '21 (@MCLA_Tournament) March 25, 2020

The Broncos will undoubted be ready for All-American attackman Amar Batra, but they will also have to account for senior attackman Joe Proferl and rookie running mate Connor Stoker.

All-American senior Malik Ekpenyong leads a sturdy midfield unit for the Golden Gophers along with classmate Kamal Baker.

“We are a complete team this year with energetic players at every position,” said Minnesota coach Charlie Gee*. “Santa Clara is an explosive, veteran team that in many ways is similar to us.”

In addition to playing in perhaps the deepest conference in the country, Santa Clara has the added luxury of last year’s tournament run to get it ready for the postseason grind.

Although they differ in style, junior attackman Keaton Collier is much like Batra in that they know how to finish. Junior attackman Carson Lombardi has taken his game to the next level and become a skilled set-up man.

Throw in rookie Thomas Bingham and the attack is stacked.

Senior Matt Lencioni has picked up where he left off last year in goal for the Broncos and provides a nice security blanket for the defense.

“This is a fun team to coach,” said Santa Clara head man Greg Hollingshead*. “They show up every day ready to play. That’s important heading into the postseason because Minnesota looks dangerous.”

[*- The coach didn’t really say this. This is all made up. It’s fake]