From SGU Sports Info.
Brad Collins, Sports Information Director
DALLAS – For as good as the first meeting between St. Gregory’s and UT-Dallas was, the encore was even better. The Cavaliers kept it inaugural season alive Sunday with a white-knuckle 17-16 win over the Comets to advance to the “Final Four” round of the Lone Star Alliance Playoffs.
SGU and UTD went back and forth a week ago in the regular-season finale in Shawnee – a contest the Comets took by the exact same 17-16 count. But this time around, the Cavs got what proved to be the game-winning goal from Richard Fromdahl with 1:59 remaining – snapping a 16-all tie to send SGU to a semifinal match-up against Stephen F. Austin.
John Curtis and the Cavalier defense kept the high-octane offense of UTD – including Division II leading scorer Casey Glad – off the board over the final 4:29. Curtis totaled 20 saves for the game.
The contest was completed approximately 17 hours after it started. With SGU leading 4-2 late in the first quarter on Saturday night, the game was suspended due to inclement weather.
That only added to the drama Sunday, as the teams battled through 13 ties – including at the end of the second and third quarters. Neither team owned more than a two-goal advantage for the game.
Smith once again led the way offensively for St. Gregory’s, turning in his ninth consecutive hat trick with seven goals on nine shots. He has scored more than five goals on six occasions this year.
Fromdahl and Bryson Sanders finished with four goals each, while Donald Murphy totaled a season-best six assists.
The Cavs had a decisive edge in ground balls, 71-51, and Sanders won 15 of his 24 faceoffs.
St. Gregory’s semifinal game against SFA will be played Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Dallas suburb of Addison, Texas.