Atlantic Sun Conference

#1 Utah Completes Undefeated Run Through the #ASUNMLAX Gauntlet to Claim First-Ever Championship Banner

5/7/2023 12:00:00 AM

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The Basics
Score: #1 Utah 11, #2 Air Force 9
Records: Utah (12-4) | Air Force (11-6)
Location: Joe Walton Stadium (Moon Township, Pa.)

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – A slow start opened up just enough for the #1 Utah Utes to secure the program's first-ever ASUN Conference Men's Lacrosse Championship title on Sunday afternoon. The Utes earned the league's automatic qualifier and will make their first NCAA Championship appearance after defeating #2 Air Force, 11-9, at Robert Morris' Joe Walton Stadium.  

The Utes, now on an 11-game winning streak, worked through a bogged down 2-1 opening quarter and found themselves down, 4-2, after three-straight Air Force goals (Cooper Rich, Gavin Peene and Josh Yago) to begin the second stanza. Utah All-Tournament selections Carson Moyer and Koa Todd got the Utes even with back-to-back scores at the 6:10 and 4:22 marks in the second quarter and Jordan Hyde wrestled the lead back ahead of the halftime break, 5-4.

After The Falcons' Shad Bruce netted the fourth equalizer in the contest at the 13:10 mark of the third, the Utes used their fast-pace offense to go on a four-goal run and never looked back. Jared Anreala put the Utes up for the final time at 6-5 just a minute after Bruce's goal. Moyer netted a hat-trick performance with his third of four goals on the afternoon and Hyde snuck in his second at the 5:13 point of the third.

Utah and Air Force traded goals in the final frame as the Utes held off the Falcons to earn their first league title. Championship MVP Cole Brams won a championship-record 21-of-23 faceoffs and scooped up 18 ground balls to spark the Utah offense. Moyer finished with four points while Hyde and Todd both added a pair of goals in the victory.

2023 All-Tournament Team
Cole Brams, Utah - Championship MVP
Tyler Bradbury, Utah
Samuel Cambere, Utah
Carson Moyer, Utah
Koa Todd, Utah
Brandon Dodd, Air Force
Tommy Hellman, Air Force
Jason Rose, Air Force
Taggart Clark, Robert Morris
Christian Della Rocco, Bellarmine

What You Need to Know from Today's Win
• #1 Utah 11, #2 Air Force 9
- Utah secured its first ASUN Championship title in school history; the Utes were elevated to NCAA DI lacrosse in the 2019 season
- Championship MVP Cole Brams set three championship single-game records, winning 21-of-23 faceoffs for a .913 faceoff wins percentage and scooping up 18 ground balls in the victory
- Carson Moyer tallied a team-high four goals in the championship final to go along with two goals and an assist in the semifinals, tying Tyler Bradbury (4 goals, 3 assists) for a team-best seven points in the Utes' championship run
- The Falcons were led by Josh Yago, scoring two goals and All-Tournament selection Jason Rose collecting 11 saves to post a .500 average in the championship final

Up Next
Utah advances to the NCAA Championship with play beginning on Wednesday, May 10. The NCAA Selection Show announcing the Utes' first opponent airs on Sunday, May 7, at 9:30 PM on ESPN+.

Upcoming ASUN Men's Lacrosse Schedule
Sunday, May 7
NCAA Championship Selection Show - 9:30 PM (ESPN+)

Wednesday, May 10
NCAA Championship Opening Round - TBA

Saturday-Sunday, May 13-14
NCAA Championship First Round - TBA