MONTREAL - Co-captain Ryan Besse of Aurora, Ont., scored five goals, including the game-winner, and became McGill's all-time points leader as the Redmen outlasted visiting Bishop's 12-10 to clinch first place in the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association's East Division at Molson Stadium, Thursday.

McGill, which finished regular season play with a 9-1 record, now sits two points ahead of second-place Bishop's in the CUFLA East. The Gaiters, who won the CUFLA championship last year, fell to 8-1 with one game remaining (against fifth-place Carleton). However,  the best they can do is finish tied with McGill but the Redmen hold the tie-breaker by one goal in head-to-head goal-differential. Had the Redmen won the game by only one goal, Bishop's would've held the tie-breaker due to a better differential overall.

"I can honestly say that, given the importance of this game, and the fact that we had the added burden of needing to win by two goals to win the East, this was one of our lacrosse program's most historic wins," said McGill head coach Tim Murdoch.

The Redmen led 5-1 after the opening quarter, 7-4 at the half and 10-8 after three quarters.

Besse, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound attacker, finished the game with 188 career points in a McGill uniform, surpassing the previous school record of 185 held by Nick Moreau. The 21-year-old economics senior scored McGill's first marker in each of the first two periods, made it 9-6 in the third and saved his best for last. With the Redmen holding the required two-goal cushion at 10-8 heading into the final stanza, tallied back-to-back markers at 2:48 and 5:22 in the final stanza to make it 12-8. His five goals left with a team-leading 26-9-35 record in 10 games.

Also scoring a hat-trick for the Redmen was senior Jishan Sharples of Vancouver, B.C. Teammate Connor Goodwin, a sophomore from New Westminster, B.C., added a pair and singles went to Richie Klares of Warrenton, Virginia, and long-stick midfielder Quinton Bradley of Richmond, B.C., who secured the ball with regularity on faceoffs and won numerous ground balls in crucial transitions.

McGill netminder Riley McGillis of Peterborough was credited with the victory while his counterpart David Bigley took the loss.

Alex Henderson led the Gaiters with four goals, while high-scoring attack man Gareth Gibson was held to just two goals by McGill co-captain Kyle Robinson, a defenceman from New Westminster, B.C.

Also adding a pair for the Gaiters was Joseph Laleune, while singles went to Alex Millin and Rick Sainthill.

The Redmen now get a four-day break before returning to work in preparation for the playoffs.  Depending on outcomes of the final weekend of the regular season, McGill will host a sudden-death wild-card game on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 1 p.m. against the fourth-place team, either Carleton or Queen's.  Bishop's also faces a wild-card contest. Assuming both teams win their wildcard game, the Gaiters would have to play a quarterfinal game at the CUFLA Final Six, while McGill would get a first-round bye.

The CUFLA championship for the Baggataway Cup, is scheduled for Trent University in Peterborough, Ont., Nov. 2-4.

REDMEN RAP: McGill midfielder Brandon McLean of Victoria, B.C., arguably  the East's most dominant face-off specialist, won 77 per cent of his draws (14 of 18) to secure constant possession for the Redmen.

SOURCE:

Earl Zukerman

McGill Athletics & Recreation

514-398-7012

SCORING SUMMARY
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Bishop's 10 @ McGill 12
Date: Thursday October 18, 2012 @ 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Location: McGill University - Molson Stadium

PENALTY SUMMARY

West
2012 Regular Season Standings

East
2012 Regular Season Standings