MLC TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!

MEQUON, Wis. -- It has been a long time coming for Concordia Wisconsin's Men's Lacrosse program and on Saturday afternoon they clinched the 2019 MLC Tournament Championship, which gives them the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship. The Falcons defeated Aurora 9-7 at Fitting Field.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 9, Aurora 7
Location: Fitting Field (Mequon, Wis.)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 15-3, Aurora 13-4

QUOTING HEAD COACH MICHAEL FAHEY


QUOTING STEPHEN GREGORY AND GARRETT WOHLFORD


CUW BROADCASTER MATT MENZL'S FINAL CALL


HOW IT HAPPENED
- Concordia Wisconsin had been in this position several times before, but the outcome of this game was different. They had a senior class of 14 who were determined more than ever to earn the program's first-ever bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament. As the clock ticked down to the final horn head coach Michael Fahey received a water bath and the team, along with its student fans, stormed the field to celebrate with senior goalkeeper Garrett Wohlford.
- The game was back-and-forth with four lead changes and three scoring ties, and wasn't the cleanest played with 47 combined turnovers. Nevertheless, the Falcons scored a game-securing man-up goal by senior Stephen Gregory (Louisville, Ky.) with 9:07 to play and their defense shut down the Spartans the rest of the way.
- The Falcons turned a one-goal deficit into a two-goal advantage with a 4-2 scoring advantage in the third quarter. During the momentum shifting on the scoreboard, sophomore Keijo Day (Esko, Minn.) and Gregory each had a man-up score.
- Wohlford (Rochester, Minn.) made 12 stellar saves throughout the game, while junior Ben Gramarossa (Smithtown, N.Y.) won 12-of-16 faceoffs and picked up seven ground balls.
- Sophomore Keijo Day (Esko, Minn.) led all players with four goals and an assist, while senior Stephen Gregory (Louisville, Ky.) tallied a pair of man-up goals. Senior Aidan Connolly (Grayslake, Ill.) ended with a goal and an assist.
- Senior Bennett Pallex (Pulaski, Wis.), junior Ryan Voskuil (Flower Mound, Texas) and junior Nathan Oekerman (Beaverton, Ore.) each caused a pair of turnovers.
- Harrison Canaday led Aurora with a hat trick, while Phillip Gianelle made nine saves.

GAME NOTES
- The Falcons finished 3-of-7 on man-up chances and limited the Spartans to 1-of-3, while also winning 14-of-20 faceoffs. As well, Aurora was penalized six times for a total of eight minutes.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- Concordia Wisconsin will find out its opponent for the NCAA Division III Tournament on Sunday at 8 pm CT. Visit CUWFalcons.com for a story on the NCAA's announcement.