D-II Round 1: Rice at North Dakota State

FARGO, N.D. – On display on legendary Dacotah Field against North Dakota State will be one of the hidden gems in the MCLA.

Davis Nelson, a three-time All-American for Rice, has quietly built one of the more impressive individual resumes in the LSA. He is not only a dominant faceoff man, but the most dangerous offensive weapon in the Owls' arsenal.

Over four years, he won 312-of-415 draws (75.2%) while also potting 154 goals and dishing out 82 dimes.

A complete game-changer.

D-II Round 1: Rice at North Dakota State | https://t.co/EME45uKZw8 #virtualmcla20
— MCLA Tournament '21 (@MCLA_Tournament) March 22, 2020

Junior attackman Will Coben was a nice complement to Nelson while senior netminder Brendan Matthews is having a career-year in 2020.

“I feel like I have the best player on the field in every game we play, so let’s see what happens,” said Rice coach Mike Ormsby*. “Nothing but respect for NDSU, but we know what’s coming.”

Unfortunately, the Owls have a 20-man roster heading into a 10-man ride buzzsaw. Not to say the Bison 10-man is invincible – even with a short bench – but it doesn’t help.

North Dakota State senior goalie Noah Orham has been through the UMLC grinder for three seasons and has a big, fat ring after backstopping the Bison to the 2018 national championship.

Junior attackman Brandon Wuertz stepped up this season and will be the focus of the Owls’ defense, but midfielder Darby Sorensen will have to be accounted for, as well.

The Bison will undoubtedly try to muddy the faceoff game, and junior long-stick midfielder Jacob Spanier will be helpful in getting the ball off the turf.

“Fargo has never seen a postseason game before, so this will be a nice treat for our parents, even if they are mostly from Minnesota,” said NDSU coach Zach Bosh*. “This is the start of a long grind that will hopefully lead to May 9.”

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