Georgia Tech Downs Clemson
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Georgia Tech raced out to a 3-0 lead to start the game and it would be a lead they would never relinquish as the No. 8 Yellow Jackets defeated No. 5 Clemson, 12-10, in the first Division I semifinal of the 2022 MCLA National Championships presented by New Balance on Thursday morning.
The victory sends Georgia Tech (15-3) to Saturday’s national championship game against either Brigham Young or South Carolina.
The Yellow Jackets wasted little time taking control of the game, leading 3-0 in the first 3:02 of the contest. Clemson (15-5) managed to trim the lead to two, 4-2, before the end of the first frame on the first of Jacob Magelssen’s three goals on the afternoon.
The margin would remain the same at the halftime, break, 6-4, before Georgia Tech created a little breathing room in the third.
Nick Eliacin scored the second of this three goals followed by the fourth goal from Asher Wagnon to balloon the lead to 9-5 with 3:43 remaining in the quarter.
The Tigers stormed back, scoring four of the next five goals bridging the third and fourth quarters, culminating with a Garret Brennan marker with 11:01 to play that trimmed the gap to 10-9.
Tech responded with goals from Nick Witten and Eliacin to push the lead back to 12-9 and sink any Clemson comeback hopes.
Wagnon's four goals led the way for Georgia Tech while Gino Pagliaro made 17 saves.
Magelssen's hat trick led Clemson while Brennan and Coston Pendleton each potted two.