BYU had high hopes for a better finish in the MCLA Tournament, but Georgia Tech proved the better team today beating the Cougars 7 to 5.
Georgia Tech came out fast and possessed the ball during the first quarter for more than ten minutes in one stretch with only one shot clock before finally putting the first goal on the board. The Yellow Jackets scored again before BYU made good on a rare possession opportunity with a high to low screamer from Chris Severson. Tech scored just before the quarter ended taking a 3 to 1 lead into the second.
BYU struggled with the draw in this game and Georgia Tech scored quickly again at the start of the second going up 4 to 1. Cougar defenders finally started holding, but Tech defenders were doing the same squashing the Y’s offense. BYU’s Calvin Wiley managed to sneak in left side with 11 seconds in the half, and the Cougars went into the half down 4 to 2 with a little momentum.
The second half started with a face off win for BYU, but Georgia Tech’s goalie stuffed two shots on the doorstep. The Yellow Jackets scored one goal early, and then shut BYU down for the remainder of the quarter taking a 5 to 2 lead into the final quarter.
As the last fifteen started, the Cougars were desperate for momentum and goals. Calvin Wiley came through with his second goal closing the gap to two. Georgia Tech didn’t panic, and got the lead back to three quickly. BYU tried to mount a comeback with a sideswipe from Winston Farley followed by a win in the draw and a dodging rip from Farley pulling to within one. Unfortunately, the Cougars made too many mistakes, and Georgia Tech took advantage scoring once more to secure the win, 7 to 5.
This was not the BYU team that won their last three games. There were too many unforced errors, too few ground balls, miscues in defense, and a lack of offensive intensity. It’s a young Cougar team with a first round win and a bright future, but it just wasn’t meant to be this year.
The two undefeated teams, Georgia Tech and Chapman will meet in the first semi-final Thursday while Grand Canyon takes on Cal Poly in an interesting rematch in the second semi.
