Missoula, MT. – The University of Montana Lacrosse team made their first regular season home appearances inside of Washington-Grizzly Stadium over the weekend in a pair of games against the University of Idaho, and the Cougars of Washington State University. Boasting a #6 ranking in the latest Division 2 Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA) polls, Montana looked to put on a show for their home fans in the Garden City. Behind two outstanding offensive performances that saw Montana score thirty-five goals combined, the Grizzlies would do just that in a pair of wins.
Action kicked off on Saturday afternoon as Montana squared off with the University of Idaho in a Pacific Northwest Collegiate League (PNCL) clash. The Grizzlies wasted little time taking control of the contest scoring fourteen goals in the first half alone to cruise to an 18-1 victory over the Vandals. Senior Midfielder Parker Swank Tallied a team high four goals in the victory for Montana. Attackmen Peter Caran, Miles Hess, and Eric Frazer also did the bulk of the damage scoring seven goals combined. Caran, and Hess would both tally two goals apiece with Frazer finishing with three goals.
The Offensive onslaught picked up right where it left off Sunday in action against Washington State. The Grizzlies offense took control of the game in the second quarter behind a 7-goal barrage and would never look back in a 17-10 victory. The win for Montana was the first time they had defeated a division 1 MCLA opponent this season.
Leading the way offensively for the second consecutive day was the offensive duo of Frazer, and Hess who would combine to score eight goals. Hess led the way with a team best five goals while Frazer tallied three goals to go along with three ground balls and an assist. Missoula Hellgate product Jayce Jarvis also set the tone for the offense as a Face Off Specialist coming away with seventeen faceoff wins and five ground balls.
It would be east for a player like Miles Hess to point toward his personal successes when reflecting on the weekend that was considering his outstanding play in recent games. After scoring eleven goals in his last three games, the Oregon native is now the team leader in goals scored this season (15). However, when reflecting on the weekend of action, Hess attributed most of the success of the team to other’s playing around him.
“Our face-off guys were able to get the ball for our offense very consistently which was a really key factor in our success,” Hess said. “Frazier also knows how to ping the corners with his outside shot which is something I really enjoy. I prefer dodging over taking long range shots so that skill set compliments my style of play very well.”
Montana (5-2) will now turn their sights to a pivotal PNCL league clash opposite The College of Idaho on Saturday March 12. The Coyotes will make the trip to the Garden City boasting a (4-0) record coming off a 21-4 victory Sunday over Western Oregon. The Yotes’ were also ranked #8 nationally in the latest MCLA Division 2 poll. Action from Washington-Grizzly Stadium is set to begin at 1 p.m. Stream all the action live on www.grizlax.com.