Lacrosse beats Missouri Baptist, Advances to Championship Game

St. Louis, Mo. – The Columbia College men’s lacrosse team took on the Spartans of Missouri Baptist University today in the semifinals of the KCAC Men’s Lacrosse Tournament. After dropping their regular season contest to the Spartans, the Cougars were on the hunt for revenge today. 

MBU got on the board first with a quick goal from Brock Pleis at the 13:00-minute mark. Columbia would respond quickly with two goals of their own from William Rusk and Matthew Cessna to take the 2-1 lead. 

Both teams traded goals from there until the end of the first when the Cougars lead 4-3. 

In the second, the offensive effort was equal from both teams as they would both score three goals, keeping the lead at halftime with CC, 7-6.

The Cougars found new life in the third quarter as they dominated the Spartans and outscored them 5-1 in the quarter with four goals from Kai Garriock and another goal from Cessna. 

The Spartans scored first in the fourth with a goal from Joe Busselman, cutting the CC lead to 12-8. Matthew Cessna netted another goal that was followed by a goal from Austin Scales. As time expired, the Cougars had played to a 14-9 win over the Spartans. 

Columbia now advances to the championship game of the KCAC Lacrosse Tournament and will face top-seeded Ottawa University on Saturday. 

Statistical Leaders:

• Goals: Matthew Cessna (5), Kai Garriock (4), William Rusk (3), Drake Morrissey, Austin Scales
• Assists: Fletcher Wood (3), Drake Morrissey, William Rusk, Kai Garriock
• GB: Austin Scales (13), Cade Musgraves (5), Colby Adelsberger ( 5), Drew Whitener (5), Zach Baker (3), Kai Garriock (2), Drake Morrissey, Kail Mattis
• Saves: Bryce Peltier (6)