IRVINE, Calif. – The first NCAA DII Men's Lacrosse playoff game ever played in the state of California is in the books and wow was it a nail-biter.
A back-and-forth thriller between host Concordia University Irvine and Flagler College on Wednesday lived up to the billing as the two talented squads were always within one goal of each other the entire way.
For four periods, CUI would score first and then Flagler would answer by finding the equalizer. And goals were very tough to come by. In fact, for nearly eight minutes neither team scored to start the second period. At halftime, the scoreboard read 3-3.
Defense ruled the roost and both goalkeepers played fantastic to keep their team in the game. CUI freshman
Brody Woods racked up eight saves and Jonah Smith for Flagler was also locked in and protected the cage with 10 stops.
Jeremy Barnes put CUI up 6-5 midway through the fourth period and the Golden Eagles did everything they could to close it out in regulation. But the Saints found one more goal thanks to Trace McDonald and it was knotted up 6-6 at the end of regulation.
We needed overtime to ultimately settle the score and after both starting goalies made at least one clutch save, it was Griffin Moore finding the back of the net for the difference-maker and a 7-6 final score in favor of Flagler.
Barnes and
Jack Lepore each scored twice while
Matt Carresi also contributed three points with a third period goal and two helpers. His assist on a Lepore goal put CUI up 4-3 early in the third and was the only time either of these teams converted when a Man Up.
Concordia's
Parker Teel opened the scoring less than five minutes into the contest.
Flagler advances to face Tampa on Sunday, who is the top seed in the South bracket and has been ranked in the Top 2 of the nation for most of the season.
CLICK HERE for the NCAA Tournament Bracket
CUI concludes its historic season with an overall record of 11-7.
CLICK HERE for Postgame Video Interviews from Woods, Coach Foss and Loudermilk
As RMAC Tournament Champions for the first time, CUI rattled off six straight victories to make the NCAA DII Tournament for the first time in program history.
This included two back-to-back wins over Colorado Mesa as well as an upset of top-seeded Westminster on the home field for the Griffins in the RMAC Championship Game.
CLICK HERE for the entire CUI men's lacrosse schedule
