The Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association is one step closer to crowning the 2013 Baggataway Champion as Queen’s, Western, Guelph and Bishop’s advance to the quarterfinals after first round playoff wins this weekend.
In the East Division, second seeded Western had their hands full with fifth place Toronto this past Friday as the Mustangs squeezed a 10-9 victory over the Varsity Blues. After three quarters, the Mustangs had an 8-6 lead over the Varsity Blues, but a pair of Toronto goals with just over five minutes into the final frame knotted the game at 9. Each team had many opportunities early in the fourth quarter, including powerplay chances but neither team could find the back of the cage.
The deadlock was finally broken as fifth year senior defender Eric Pitre rushed down the field and blasted a bounce shot between the wickets of Toronto netminder Lowell Hunt for the eventual game winner.
Leading the way for the Mustangs was sophomore attackman Dylan Ham who registered four goals on the night. Fellow Toronto Beaches alumnus Michael Buwalda lead the offense for Toronto as he netted five goals in the loss.
Western netminder Zach Grace was credited with the victory after making 13 stops. Toronto sophomore goaltender Hunt was outstanding in the loss making 22 saves on 31 shots, including numerous sprawling toe saves with naked attackmen on the crease.
In the other Eastern Division match up, the Guelph Gryphons downed the McMaster Marauders to a score of 13-7.
Leading the charge for the Gryphons was senior midfielder Curtis Knight who netted four goals and added a pair of helpers. Rounding out the offense was rookie midfielder Brett Ulbikas and senior midfielder Jordan Critch each chipped in four points.
On the other side of the field, junior attackman Mitchell Iszkula found the back of the net twice while adding a pair of helpers. Junior goaltender Michael Lalani picked up the win as he recorded his first playoff victory in his CUFLA career.
In the Eastern division, the Queen’s Golden Gaels continued their historic season as they advanced to the Baggataway Cup quarterfinals for the first time in program history after a 11-8 victory over Trent.
The first half was all Golden Gaels’ as they opened with a 7-1 lead after 40 minutes of play, including a 6-0 lead halfway through the second quarter. Trent came back to life in the fourth quarter as they scored four unanswered goals but fortunately for the Golden Gaels it would not be enough as Queen’s picked up the 11-8 victory.
Sophomore attackman Brendan Zoehner was stellar in Queen’s victory as he filled the net with six goals. Sophomore Jon Hiltz led the Excalibur offensive attack with one goal and five helpers. Fellow sophomore attackman Josh Gilroy chipped in with four tallies.Sophomore netminder Alex Guiney made 13 saves en route to picking up his first career playoff victory.
In the other East Division playoff matchup, the 2011 Baggataway Cup champions knocked off the Carleton Ravens at home by a score of 12-4.
The Gaiters dominated both ends of the field from whistle to whistle. Bishop’s were led by sophomore attackman Ryan Deward with five points(3G,2A). Rounding out the offense was sophomore attackmen James Malloy, Rhett Handley and senior attackmen Alex Henderson each chipped in with three points to help secure the victory for the Gaiters.
With the first round of the playoffs completed, the Baggataway Final 6 stage is set. On Friday, the quarterfinals will be hosted in Montreal.QC at Molson Stadium as Western takes on Queen’s in game one at 6:00 p.m. while Bishop’s is slated to face Guelph in game two at 8:30 p.m. The winner of game one (Western/Queen’s) will take on first host McGill and the winner of game 2 (Bishop’s/Guelph) will first seed in the east division Brock.
