Griz split weekend games, keep playoff hopes alive

The University of Montana Grizzlies split a pair of road games in Oregon this weekend bringing their 2008 conference record to 2-3. On Saturday, the Griz dropped its third loss of the season, 10-19, to #6 University of Oregon (2008 Lax World MCLA Division 1 Top 25 Poll). Sunday’s game against Oregon State, a must win for the Griz to stay in the playoff race, brought a long-awaited momentum shift with Montana earning a 13-9 victory in OSU’s Reser Stadium.

After a three year absence, the Oregon/Montana game returned this weekend with a quickdraw Duck offense overpowering a solid Griz effort.

The Grizzlies came out strong, capitalizing on early possessions to open the quarter with a 2-1 lead. The Duck’s offense soon found its webbed feet, finding the net four more times before the end of the quarter to end it 5-2. In the second quarter, the famed Oregon Offense found it’s rhythm piling on seven goals to Montana’s three.

In the second half, a renewed Grizzly offense along with a monster performance by junior goalie Colin Connery led to Montana keeping pace with the 2007 MCLA Div. 1 runner-up, going 3-4 in the third and 2-3 in the fourth quarter.

For box scores and other game info, check out the game report at PNCLL.com
PHOTOS BY WILL MOSS
Read the article by Collegelax’s Nate Cordova

On Saturday, Montana traveled to Oregon State University’s Reser Stadium to take on the Beavers. With the Griz sitting at 1-3 in conference, they needed a win over OSU to remain a viable candidate for the 2008 PNCLL postseason.

The Griz came out early, taking a 5-2 lead over Oregon St. in the first quarter. The Beavs refused to give up, however, mounting a 3-1 2nd quarter to reduce the Grizzlies halftime lead to 6-5.

Montana came out of the half with another offensive surge outpacing OSU 5-2 in the third and controlling possession in the fourth to finish off the Beavers 13-9.

The game was broadcast live on Grizlax.com.

For box scores and other game info, check out the game report at PNCLL.com
PHOTOS BY WILL MOSS
Read the article by Collegelax’s Nate Cordova

The Griz now enjoy a full two weeks of to prepare for March 24 & 26 road games against the University of Southern California and 2006 MCLA Div. B Champs the University of San Diego.