Semifinals Set for MCLA Invitational
ROUND ROCK, Texas – The four top seeds in the 2021 MCLA Invitational advanced to Thursday’s semifinals at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex.
In the early quarterfinals, No.1 West seed Chapman (6-1) cruised past East No. 4 LSU (3-4), 16-5, while East top seed Georgia Tech (7-0) dispatched West No. 4 Utah Valley (4-6), 17-6.
In the second window, No. 2 East Clemson (5-4) rolled past No. 3 West Concordia-Irvine (6-5), 16-11, while West No. 2 Brigham Young (10-1) rallied past No. 3 East Liberty (6-3), 10-7.
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Chapman will play Clemson on Thursday at 11 a.m. while Georgia Tech faces Brigham Young at 11:30 a.m.
Garett Stemmler scored a game-high four goals, helping Chapman race out to a 10-3 halftime lead and cruise to the 16-5 victory. Nick Lemus chipped in with a goal and four assists.
The game was relatively tight after the first quarter with the Panthers owning a 6-3 lead over the Tigers, but the defense put the clamps on the LSU offense. Three Chapman goalies combined to make seven saves.
Dylan Futrell had a pair of goals for the Tigers in the losing effort while Henry Ballard turned away eight shots.
Georgia Tech's win over Utah Valley mirrored Chapman’s win as the Yellow Jackets led just 5-3 after the first quarter, but slammed the door on the Wolverine offense, allowing just three more markers the rest of the way.
Sam Eck paced the Jackets’ offense with four goals while Devin Raun chipped in with a hat trick and three dimes. Gino Pagliaro and Robert Kruszeski combined for eight saves in the win.
Chad Ranslow had three goals for Utah Valley while a pair of Wolverine goalies teamed up for six saves.
Clemson exploded for six goals in the second quarter while allowing just one to Concordia-Irvine, allowing the Tigers to build an 8-2 halftime lead and coast home for the 16-11 victory.
Garret Brennan had four goals and an assist in the victory while Devon McIntyre tacked on two goals and three helpers. Lad Howell was solid in the Clemson net, turning away 10 shots.
Brett Masaki led Concordia with four goals and an assist while Tyler Schweickert made 12 stops.
Brigham Young capped off the day by rallying from a second-quarter deficit and held off the powerful Liberty offense. The Cougars led, 7-5 at halftime and allowed just two goals over the final two frames, backboned by Mason Moon’s nine saves.
Gavin Crist was the offensive catalyst for BYU, scoring four goals and setting up a fifth.
Keaton Mohs had two goals for the Flames while Ryan Reynolds made 13 saves in net.
The four losing teams will play a consolation game in the morning, followed by the semifinals. The finals of the 2021 MCLA Invitational will take place on Friday at 10 a.m.