BURNABY, B.C. – Eric Larson broke a 9-9 deadlock with the go-ahead goal with five minutes remaining in the game, helping the University of Montana defeat the College of Idaho, 12-9, in the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League Division II championship game at Terry Fox Field.
The Grizzlies (13-5) earn the PNCLL's automatic berth to the MCLA National Championships in their first season back after years in the MCLA Division I. C of I had their 12-game win streak snapped in the loss.
The Yotes (12-1) never led in the match, rallying from three separate four-goal margins, including a 9-5 third quarter deficit.
Nich Guzzetti scored three consecutive goals in the third quarter to pull C of I within a goal, with
Jaden Carson scoring an unassisted goal with just over six minutes left in the match to square up the match.
However, Larson, the PNCLL Tournament MVP, answered less than a minute later and added an insurance goal late in the period, to secure the win.
Guzzetti finished the day with five goals – pushing his school-record goal total to 55, while
Dillon Green added to his school record assist to, extending the mark to 27.
