SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A flurry of first quarter goals save third-ranked Minnesota Duluth a commanding lead, as the Bulldogs defeated the College of Idaho, 22-8, in the first-round of the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association Division II National Tournament at Salt Lake Regional Park.
UMD (11-5), making their 15th appearance in the event, got goals from seven different players in the opening 12 minutes, riding the dominant first quarter to the victory. A total of 12 different players scored in the win, as the Bulldogs used a roster of 34 players to their advantage.
Cooper Carlson opened the scoring just 58 seconds into the match, with teammates Ryan Larson and Ethan Petersen scoring to give the Bulldogs a quick 3-0 lead. Leading scorer Scott McNamara added the first of his team-high four goals in the flurry, as the margin ballooned to 12-0 early in the second quarter.
The Coyotes (11-3), making their first-ever tournament appearance, found their offensive rhythm in the second quarter and played UMD even the rest of the way.
Nich Guzzetti got C of I on the board with a behind the back goal, with
Joey Brant and
R.J. Walker adding goals before the break.
C of I used a three-goal flurry early in the third quarter, including two scores from Guzzetti, to cut the margin to 16-7 – but the Yotes could not get closer – seeing their nine-game win streak snapped.
Guzzetti finished with four goals and an assist – giving him 55 goals on the season and 197 goals for his career. Brant had two strikes – pushing his season total to 56 goals – while goalie
Jonah Jordan made 14 saves.
The Yotes will close the season with a consolation game tomorrow – with the opponent to be determined later tonight.
