The Montana Grizzly Men’s Lacrosse team picked up their second win in two days Saturday beating the Portland Pilots 15-6 to extend their win streak to five and seal the top spot in the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League Division 2.
Portland took the ball on the opening face off and road the momentum to put the ball in the back of the net in the opening minutes to take the lead. Montana immediately regrouped and put the score even at two while holding off the continued pressure of the Pilots. The two teams battled in the opening half, feeling out each others schemes, and at the end of one quarter the scoreboard read three a piece.
Montana head coach Tucker Sargent made adjustments at the first quarter break and the Griz came out on the run, quickly putting a squeeze on the Portland defense and forced a keeper change for the Pilots. The Pilots went into the game with just one man on the sidelines while playing with an attack man in the goal due to their keepers not making the trip to Missoula due to injury, so Montana took advantage of the depleted Portland sideline, outscoring the Pilots 6-2 in the second quarter.
Leading the Pilots 9-5 to start the third quarter Montana came out on the attack, owning the possession time in order to wear down the Pilots. The Grizzlies out scored Portland 3-1 in the third quarter to increase their lead and continue their dominance over the Pilots. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around the Portland mid fielders were gassed and could not rally on defense after they made a run on Montana. The Griz capped the game off shutting out the Pilots in the fourth quarter while they added three points of their own.
The Grizzlies are now 4-1 at home and are enjoying a five game win streak, and they hold the top spot of their conference with a 10-3 record. Montana will enjoy a week break before they finish out their regular season at home next Saturday against Central Washington.