D-II Recap: Upset City

ROUND ROCK, Texas – While the first round of the Division I bracket of the 2022 MCLA National Championships presented by New Balance played out to seed, the D-II version was a wild ride.

Three of the eight first-round games provided upsets, including the largest in MCLA history when No. 15 UNC-Charlotte edged No. 2 College of Idaho in overtime, 17-16, in one of the most-pulse pounding finishes the tournament has ever seen.

DIVISION II BRACKET

The 49ers victory overshadowed the second-biggest upset of the day when No. 14 Cal State San Marcos rocked No. 3 Kennesaw State, 14-6, boosted by hat tricks from Jason Thibeault, Tanner Peach and Alexander Cunningham.

While a narrow upset, No. 9 Missouri State rolled past No. 8 Montana State, 13-8. The Bears raced out to a 7-1 lead to start the game and never looked back.

In a workmanlike performance, No. 1 St. Thomas dispatched No. 16 Florida Atlantic, 12-4, while No. 4 Grand Valley State pulled away from No. 13 UC San Diego in the second half for a 16-11 triumph.

What's the most intriguing game of the Division II quarterfinals tomorrow afternoon/evening? #mcla22
— 2022 MCLA National Tourney (@MCLA_Tournament) May 10, 2022

No. 6 Montana outlasted No. 11 Florida Gulf Coast, 9-8, thanks to a goal with 12 seconds left in regulation while No. 5 Utah downed No. 12 North Dakota State by the same score after holding off a late Bison charge.

The best game of the second quad was the thriller between No. 7 Rhode Island and No. 10 Utah State. In a see-saw battle that went to overtime knotted at 15s, the Rams struck at the buzzer of the first extra stanza to take the dramatic, 16-15 win.

Here are Tuesday’s quarterfinal matchups.

Tuesday’s Quarterfinals
2022 MCLA National Championships presented by New Balance

No. 9 Missouri State vs. No. 1 St. Thomas, 3:15 p.m.
No. 7 Rhode Island vs. No. 15 UNC-Charlotte, 3:15 p.m.
No. 6 Montana vs. No. 14 Cal State San Marcos, 6 p.m.
No. 5 Utah vs. No. 4 Grand Valley State, 6 p.m.