Griz continue streak
The University of Montana men’s lacrosse team extended its winning streak to seven games this weekend with wins over the University of New Hampshire Wildcats and the Northeastern University Huskies. The Griz flew over 4,000 miles between Missoula and Boston for the out-of-conference tests, marking the longest trip in the club’s history.
Montana never trailed in either contest but traded goals with both squads in two closely matched games. With six players from New England on the roster, the Griz used enormous support from friends, family, and even a few future Grizzlies as a mock home-field advantage.
Saturday’s game against UNH was highlighted by stellar play by both goalkeepers, with Montana’s Colin Connery (Troy, MI) and New Hampshire’s Johnny McNamara (Merrimack, NH) each registering a number of impressive point-blank stops to keep the score tight for most of sixty minutes. In the end, the Griz’s lengthy possessions and offensive firepower proved too much for the Wildcats leading to a 11-8 Griz victory. Zander Ault (Katonah, NY) and Sam Cameron (Bainbridge Island, WA) lead the Montana attack with 3 points apiece.
After a night’s rest and a day spent at Boston’s historic Quincy Market, the Griz suited up to face the Northeastern Huskies at Parsons Field. Montana came out hard and fast, riding a number of clean fast breaks and sharp defense to a 5-1 lead by the end of the first quarter. Penalties let the Huskies back in, however, and the rest of the game was spent swapping goals until the fourth quarter. Montana face-off-specialist Tucker Sargent (Norwich, VT) showcased his other specialty in the final period, running through the Husky defense and notching a hat trick in the fourth to finish with 5 goals on the night and seal the deal for the Griz, 16-14.
This weekend Montana will face Boise State University for a 2:00 home game in Washington-Grizzly Stadium on Saturday, April 19th. The game will be broadcast live on Grizlax.com. A win will secure the Griz a spot at the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League playoffs, to be held May 4th and 5th at The University of Montana.
