The Upstate Collegiate Box Lacrosse League (UCBLL) champion Hawkeyes earned a pair of wins Wednesday at the National Collegiate Box Series (NCBS) National Championship in Utica, NY.
Playing in the toughest division, the Hawkeyes knocked off the Dragons (San Jose) and Red Hawks (Denver) to claim first place with a 2-0 record.
In the opener, the Rochester club defeated the Dragons 23-6, scoring six times in the first, second, and fourth quarters. Offensively, The Hawkeyes were led by a 10-point effort from Zachary Terry (8+2) and an eight-point performance from Thomas Gravino. The Hawkeyes also got a seven-point game (5+2) from Nate Senez and a five-point outing from Pax Marshall. Matthew Blythe (3+1), Colin Sharkey (2+1), Patrick Mitchell (one assist), and Liam Erwin (one assist) also contributed to the offense.
“Starting with a win in this tournament is huge,” Terry said after the first game. “Getting our confidence together. Getting the team energized. You want to start the tournament 1-0 and keep that (winning) mentality.”
That mentality was tested in the second contest, as the Hawkeyes hosted the Red Hawks in a rematch of last year’s semifinals. Once again, Rochester jumped out to an early lead. Terry pumped in three goals, while Colt Green, Gravino, and Blythe added single tallies in the first two quarters for a 6-2 lead.
The Red Hawks, however, were not done. They scored four goals in 1:17 to tie the contest at six. Wyatt Robertson scored two of those goals, while Josh Carlson scored the tying goal with 40 seconds to play in the half.
With the game on the line, the Hawkeyes posted an impressive third quarter, outscoring the Red Hawks 4-1 to take a 10-7 lead. The Hawkeyes finished the game with three straight goals to break open an 11-9 game late in the final quarter to secure their second victory.
Terry, who had five goals and four assists, led the Hawkeyes’ offense. Senez chipped four assists, and Blythe notched five points (3+2). Blythe, who scored eight goals in nine UCBLL games this season, has found his grove with back-to-back hat tricks.
“I not worrying about shooting it, but putting it into the back of the net,” said Blythe. “My teammates have been giving me great opportunities. They have been easy wide-open shots to bury.”
The Hawkeyes will close out pool play Thursday at noon against the unbeaten Potomac Gaels (1-0). The game will be live streamed on the National Lacrosse League YouTube channel.