(Story courtesy of Colorado College)
CHESTERTOWN, Md. - Freshman goaltender Chase Murphy recorded a season-high 17 saves, but a six-goal deficit proved too much to overcome as Colorado College dropped a 10-7 decision at Washington College in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Wednesday afternoon. Box Score
Sophomore midfielder Henri Halle struck for three goals and added a pair of assists to fuel the Tigers’ comeback attempt. CC battled to within 8-6 midway through the third quarter and 10-7 when junior midfielder Jack Kreitler struck for his second tally with an even five minutes to play, but the Shoremen ran out the clock and hung on for the victory.
Senior attacker Steve Rijo buried a feed from Halle with 3:39 to go in the second quarter to give Colorado College a boost heading into halftime, and the Tigers notched the first three goals of the second half to make the score 8-6 with 6:47 remaining in the third quarter.
The Shoremen responded with a goal by Grant Hughes two minutes later, and then Bennett Cord struck for the second time with his team playing two men up to extend Washington’s lead to 10-6. It was one of three extra-man goals the hosts scored on the day.
Murphy made 12 saves during the first half when the Shoremen launched 29 shots. It marked the seventh time this season he stopped double-digit shots.
Freshman Tim Jenkins paced the defense with three caused turnovers, while junior midfielder Will Harris finished with four ground balls.
Ted DiSalvo finished with 11 saves, five of which came during the fourth quarter when CC took 12 of its 29 shots.
Jim Cusick led WC with three goals and an assist, while Hunter Nowicki finished with four assists.
The most important player for Washington may have been Michael Trapp, who won 15 of 18 face-offs and grabbed a game-high 12 ground balls. The extra possessions directly contributed to 45-29 advantage in total shots.
Colorado College finished the season with a 13-5 record.
The Shoremen improved to 13-4 and will face either Stevenson University (17-2) or Christopher Newport University (8-8) in the second round on Saturday.
