Men's Lacrosse | 11/3/2018 11:33:00 PM

MONTREAL --  Seth Obadia of Port Washington, N.Y., registered a hat-trick and a school record three defencemen scored goals as McGill dominated visiting Bishop's 10-3 in a Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association sudden-death playoff game, Friday.
 
The Redmen, who improved to 10-3 overall, including a 9-1 regular season record, now advance to the Baggataway Cup national championship tournament, hosted by the University of Toronto, Nov. 9-11.

Played in wet and freezing weather conditions at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, the game was suspended with 17:33 remaining due to a false fire alarm that was believed to be triggered by a student, requiring a temporary evacuation of the field and stands. After the dust settled, the delay ended up lasting 27 minutes.

Patrick Turner of Toronto netted the game-opening goal for the home side with 1:14 left in the first quarter. McGill then methodically outscored Bishops 2-0 in the second stanza, 3-1 in the third and 4-2 in the final quarter.

Obadia, a 5-foot-11 attackman, potted a pair in the third quarter to put McGill ahead 6-1 after three. The NCAA Division 1 transfer from Lafayette College made it 7-1 with 13:41 left in the fourth to secure the hat-trick. Obadia, a 20-year-old economics major in his first season at McGill, led the team in scoring with 32 points, including 24 goals, in 10 regular season contests.
 
"Our defensive group pushed transition well and this resulted in goals scored by three different defencemen for the first time in a single game," said McGill head coach Tim Murdoch pointing out Tanner Baldin, Connor Plante and Oliver Bolsterli.
 
Other Redmen to make it on the scoresheet were Kieran McKay, Liam MacDonald and Hunter Zawada.
 
"One of our team's strengths all season has been that we have a variety of different players that can score," noted  Murdoch. "I've never believed in a 'star-system' as it's easier to defend a small number of players than worry about multiple scoring threats. Bishop's keyed  on our top scorers, which left a lot of very gifted offensive players wide open to score."
 
Xavier Perron replied for the Gaiters with a pair and teammate Joel Wright netted one.
 
The McGill Game MVP was starting goaltender Michael Gallo, an architecture junior from Glen Rock, N.J., who allowed only one goal on 11 shots.
 
"I gave the game-winning ball to Gallo in the locker room after the win," added Murdoch. "Gallo has done so well all season, so impressive given that he lost his mother during the summer.  His father made the drive up from the U.S. for the game and our entire team has become an extended family for Gallo. It was a pretty emotional moment, we all just want Michael to know we're supporting him 100 per cent."
 
With McGill ahead by an 8-1 margin, Gallo was relieved in the fourth quarter by David Pelliccione, a junior from Woodbridge, Ont., who gave up two over the final nine minutes and 10 seconds.
 
Matthew Wolf took the loss for the Gaiters, conceding 10 goals on 22 shots.

After a penalty-free opening period, the teams combined for 14 infractions, including eight doled out to the visitors..
 
"We kept our composure late in the game when things got chippy," said Murdoch.  "We go back to work on Monday to prepare for the Baggataway Cup. Bigger challenges await."

The CUFLA Final Six is now set. McGill (9-1) will faceoff against UofT (4-6) in a national quarter-final on Friday, Nov, 9 at Varsity Field in Toronto, Ont., 7 p.m. start. The Redmen, who won national lacrosse crowns in 2012 and 2015, are slated to depart from Montreal early Friday morning on VIA Rail. All games will be webcast live on https://www.lacrosse-tv.com/
You do have to create an account, but it is simple and free to watch.


SCORING SUMMARY


CUFLA SUDDEN-DEATH PLAY-IN SCHEDULE:

Nov 1
Western 15, Laurier 9

Nov 3
Brock 13, Guelph 6
Nipissing 13, Queen's 10
Trent 14, Ottawa 11
McGill 10, Bishop's 3

2018 CUFLA Final Six Championship Tournament
(@ UofT, Nov. 9-11)

2018 Baggataway Cup Schedule
Varsity Stadium (299 Bloor St. West)
Tickets

Friday, November 9
Quarter-Final 1: (#2 West) Brock vs (#3 East) Nipissing - 4:00 p.m.
Quarter-Final 2: (#2 East) McGill vs (#3 West) Toronto - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 10
Semifinal 1: Trent vs Winner QF1 - 1:00 p.m.
Semifinal 2: Western vs Winner QF2 - 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 11
Championship Final: Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 - 1:00 p.m.

All games will be webcast live on https://www.lacrosse-tv.com/
You do have to create an account, but it is simple and free to watch.