Falcons advance to MLC Tournament Championship game

MEQUON, Wis. – Concordia Wisconsin caught fire in the second half, scoring seven of the game's last eight goals, to defeat Benedictine, 12-7, during an intense Midwest Lacrosse Conference Tournament semifinal game during a cold and windy afternoon at Fitting Field.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 12, Benedictine 7
Location: Fitting Field (Mequon, Wis.)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 12-4, Benedictine 11-5

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Falcons found themselves down a goal, 6-5, with eight minutes to play in the third quarter, but found the offensive rhythm from then on. They scored four-straight goals during before the Eagles found the back of the net and then closed the victory with three scores in a row.
- Senior Danny Bundra (Lake Zurich, Ill.) dominated the faceoff circle, winning 20-of-23 chances, to help the Falcons maintain much of the possession in the second half. He was successful on 13-of-14 faceoffs in the second half.
- CUW ended with advantages in shots (49-29), shots on goal (25-18) and ground balls (36-17). They were also perfect on clear attempts (18-of-18).
- Senior Matt Garvey (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and freshman Stephen Gregory (Louisville, Ky.) each recorded a hat trick, while senior Marino Best (Nanaimo, British Columbia) tallied a pair of scores. As well, four other Falcons scored once.
- Bundra finished with a game-best 11 ground balls. Junior Benjamin Smith (Round Lake Beach, Ill.), freshman Eric Carrolan (Pleasanton, Calif.) and senior Mark Wilson (Calgary, Alberta) each finished with two caused turnovers.
- Freshman Garrett Wohlford (Rochester, Minn.) made 11 saves during a complete game victory.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- CUW wins its first MLC Tournament game at home and advances to its second-straight MLC Tournament Championship contest.
- Bundra's 20 faceoff wins were tied for the fifth most in a game in program history and his 11 ground balls were tied for the seventh most.
- Best set the program's single season record for goals (43) after finding the back of the net twice.
- It was the second hat trick of Gregory's young career.

THE OPPOSITION
- Matthew Johnson led the Eagles with three goals, while Blake Keenan had a pair of goals and an assist.
- Goalkeeper Jeffrey Smitheran had 13 saves and five ground balls, while Matt Htwe and Brandon Pearl each caused a pair of turnovers.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- The Falcons travel to Aurora for a 1 pm MLC Tournament Championship matchup for the second-straight season.