Jackets Fall Short in National Championship

 

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket men's lacrosse team faced off against the Liberty Flames in the MCLA National Championship Final.  The Jackets entered the game on a six game winning streak following a setback at the University of Florida Gators in late March.  Tech proved the prognosticators wrong in their two prior games defeating the media darling Texas Longhorns and second seeded Utah Valley University Wolverines.  Once again the predictions called for a Georgia Tech loss as they faced the top seeded Flames.  The Flames had been on cruise control through the tournament while the Jackets fought tooth and nail to win each game.

 

The game opened with the Jackets getting possession and creating multiple quality chances before Brooks Baro scored a driving behind the back goal to give the Jackets the lead.  The Flames tied the game two minutes later.  On the ensuing possession Andrew Belli gave the Jackets the lead again.  The Jackets had significant chunks of possession over the rest of the quarter but their shots would not fall.  The Flames were able to add two goals in the final minute to take a 3-2 lead after the first quarter.

 

The Flames, as they have done all season, continued their run in the second quarter.  The lead got all the way to 6-2 before the Jackets would answer.  The hole that the Jackets found themselves in would not diminish their spirit, but rather strengthened their resolve as the Jackets drew tighter together and continued to fight.  The Jackets have come back from first half deficits multiple times over the last month of the season and they knew they could do it again.  The Jackets cut the lead to 7-4 with three minutes remaining in the half, but the Flames scored a goal off a rebound as the second quarter expired to take an 8-4 lead into halftime.  

 

Just as the game hit halftime, lightning rolled into the area and both teams had to clear the field.  There were multiple moments that both teams thought the delay was ending only for the clock to reset.  The delay ended up being roughly ninety minutes.  The Flames would score first in the third quarter, but the Jackets were unfazed.  The Jackets finally began to play the kind of lacrosse they have shown all season showcasing a blend of skill and toughness.  It all began with winning the hustle plays as evidenced by Andrew Belli picking up a ground ball and sprinting the length of the field leaving all three Liberty midfielders behind him before scoring.  Brooks Baro fed Pierce Quarles on an extra man opportunity after the Flames were called for an illegal body check on goalie Peter Zagrobelny.  The Jackets then added consecutive goals from Michael Grosso and Joseph Rose within a minute of each other to pull within one goal at 9-8.  The Jacket sideline erupted as Rose scooped the loose ball in front of the crease and slipped it past the goalkeeper.  The next few minutes were hard fought with neither team giving an inch and there were no easy ground balls, with both fan bases and benches cheering loudly for each play.  The Flames added two goals in the final two minutes of the third quarter to take an 11-8 lead into the fourth quarter.  

 

The Jackets got the first goal of the fourth quarter when Brooks Baro got his own rebound and scored.  Liberty stretched the lead back to three shortly thereafter.  Aaron Piszczek scored a long range shot to once again pull the Jackets within two at 12-10.  The Jackets got possession and created quality looks, but could not finish over the next few minutes.  As the fourth quarter wore on, the Jackets put themselves into position to make the necessary plays, but could not come up with the ground ball or finish the shot and the Flames were able to keep the Jackets at bay.  The Flames scored another rebound goal along with an extra man goal and an empty net goal as the Jackets tried to get the ball back.  Seniors Pierce Quarles and Brooks Baro would score the final two goals of the game for the Jackets as they lost 17-12.  The Jackets fought fiercely, but could not overcome their opponent on this day as the Flames won their first MCLA National Championship, while the Jackets continue the hunt for their first.