The Loyola Greyhounds (10-5) pulled off an upset when they bested the #7 Denver Pioneers. 14-13 to move onto the NCAA D1 Quarterfinals. The game would come down to Loyola netminder, Sam Shafer, and, depending on your loyalties, Shafer either made a tremendous stop or the Denver player hit him with the shot… that’s up for the individual to determine.
Just sometimes you’ve got to find your way again, and I think everything he’s doing right now is right,” Toomey said. “I think he’s seeing the ball, he’s sitting on it, he’s waiting. He’s just playing with such confidence and when he plays with confidence, you see it in our short sticks, you see it in our defense, and they’re willing to take some risks, and I thought some of those risks really paid off tonight.”Loyola Head Coach, Charlie Toomey
To the Action
Aidan Olmstead led the Greyhound charge with a six-point game with five goals. Ethan Walker (2g) started things off for Denver when he converted a pretty Alex Simmons (3a) set up for his 25th of the season. Unimpressed, Seth Higgins (2g,1a) had an answer after a scoreless eight and a half minutes. Malik Sparrow (1g) put the Pios back in front just :17 later with Aidan Olmstead starting his big day to close the stanza at a 2-2 deadlock.
Loyola went on a run with goals from Kevin Lindley (2g), Evan James (2g,1a) with a pair with the first coming at 14:10 followed by his second at 12:53 with Olmstead getting it to 6-2. Lucas Cotler (2g) stopped the flurry but Olmstead (29th) and Seth Higgins countered making it 8-3. Cotler once again stepped up on an advantage goal with 3:30 to go in the half.
Fifty eight seconds later, Olmstead struck again to close the half with the Grey Hounds in charge, 9-4. Kyle Smith (1g,1a) followed by Jack Hannah (3g) of thirty four seconds later and Jackson Merrill (3g,1) all stepped up and and we had a new game at 9-7. Peter Swindell (2g,1a) converted an Adam Poltris set up to stave off the rush.
More Action
Merrill placed a nice pass tonJack Hannah who converted on the advantage with Morrill registering his 33rd to set up a nail-biting final quarter with Loyola clinging to an 11-10 lead. Poltris (1g,1a) snagged his 10th on the advantage off a feed from Liam Bateman to stretch it to 12-10.
Four minutes later Bateman (1g,1a) took center stage to give Loyola a three-goal lead. Walker with his 39th and Ted Sullivan (1g) with his 11th set the table for a frantic finish with 5:53 remaining. On the man up Olmsted gave Loyola some breathing room and Hannah countered but, it was too little too late and Loyola pulls off the upset.
TD Ierlan was outstanding with an assist and 17 of 19 on face-offs. Duke had the edge in shots, 48-36, and shots on goal at 29-21. The Blue Devils had 16 turnovers with Loyola having 12. The Loyola Greyhounds pulled off an upset.
Kevin has followed and promoted the game of lacrosse since May 19, 1974.
The same day the Philadelphia Flyers won the Cup, the Philadelphia Wings were introduced to Neibauer and Philadelphia.
Kevin has covered many sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and.. lacrosse. A former licensed football referee and baseball umpire, Kevin brings a unique insight to his game coverage.
A published writer in JustHockey Magazine, Kevin covered the American Hockey League as well as a monthly story on a pugilist where Kevin used the pen name, The Rink Rat. Neibauer turned his attentions to lacrosse for a few years and does his part, whether podcasting or writing to grow the game. Kevin branched out to his roots and currently provides insight for all Philadelphia teams for Edge of Philly as well as his full-time duties with LaxPhilly.
Latest Articles
Rochester completes comeback over CalgaryLacrosse, NLL
Philadelphia Wings Flying In The Right DirectionLacrosse, NLL
Round 1 In The Battle Of PA Goes To The FlyersFlyers
Jake Withers runs wild over the Saskatchewan RushLacrosse, NLL
Going The Distance, Coming Up ShortSixers
