SectionsMSU win makes history
National trip next for Bears
Kai Raymer
Issue date: 5/5/09 Section: Sports
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The Bears held off Wheaton 14-13 Saturday night to win the GRLC and secure their first-ever spot in the national championship tournament.
"It was just an amazing scene with everyone celebrating," said Missouri State attacker Mark Jasper. "I was in the corner of the field, and I was so tired, and my legs were so cramped that I just kind of went over and celebrated with our goalie (Mark Livesay) because I couldn't make it any farther."
With the win, Missouri State earned a spot in the 2009 Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association National Championships in Denver next week. It's the first MCLA Division- II Tournament appearance in team history for the Bears.
But getting there wasn't easy.
Against Wheaton, the game was up for grabs until the final seconds when Missouri State's Dave Herber took possession from Wheaton and ran out the clock.
Wheaton's fast-paced style frustrated the Bears, said Missouri State senior and co-captain Dustin Rich.
"The biggest problem we had was that Wheaton really tried to play an up-tempo game," Rich said. "It got us out of rhythm. We like to slow it down, eat some clock and take precise shots. They really played a faster pace than we were used to."
Leading the way on the weekend for Missouri State was Jasper, who finished with a total of seven goals and five assists in two games.
Earlier in the day, Missouri State disposed of Augustana 15-6 to advance to the title game. However, the victory did little to prepare the Bears for what would come later that night.
"Wheaton was probably the best Division-II team we faced all year," Rich said. "They didn't play a full schedule and kind of flew under the radar all year."
But with an early 5-1 lead and a sound performance from Livesay, Missouri State was able to advance.
Now, the Bears find themselves as the No. 10 seed for the MCLA Division-II Championships.
Missouri State will face No. 7 seed and defending champions Westminster at 1 p.m. Mountain time Monday. If they win, the Bears would advance to face No. 2 seed St. Thomas at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
The Bears appear to be at the top of their game heading into this tournament, Jasper said.
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