The Albany Great Danes punched their ticket into The Big Barbeque with a 20-11 win over the UMBC Retrievers in the America East Championship. The Thompson Trio led the way with 21 combined points, including 7 goals from Miles Thompson.
With his 8 point performance, Lyle Thompson has now tied the NCAA single season record for points at 114. He now shares the top spot with UMBC's Steve Marohl, who set the record in 1992. Lyle will only need one point in the Great Danes' next game in the NCAA Tournament to have the record all to himself.
UMBC kept in touch with Albany through the first half, as the lead was never more than three through almost the entire first and second quarters. However, the tide turned after a controversial buzzer beater goal to end the half by Ty Thompson, where it was clear that the Danes had seven men in the offensive zone. No offsides was called, and Albany went into the locker room with the momentum.
The third quarter was all Albany, as they scored 8 goals in the quarter. Combined with the fourth quarter, the Great Danes managed to go on a 12-3 run that put the game out of reach. The Retrievers scored the final four goals of the game to cut the deficit to single digits.
Blaze Riorden had a solid game in net for the Great Danes, stopping 10 shots he faced. UMBC swapped goalies twice in the second half, with Connor Gordon tabbed with the loss with 4 saves.
Although UMBC handily won the faceoff game at 22-12, Albany would hold advantages in all the other major categories. Albany led in shots (48-34), ground balls (37-35), saves (10-7), and turnovers (16 turnovers compared to UMBC's 18). Albany went 1 for 2 on the EMO while UMBC went 2 for 3.
The Great Danes will await their NCAA Tournament path with tomorrow night's NCAA Selection Show. Given the performance of the Thompson trio and their underrated defense today, there probably aren't many teams that want to see Albany in their bracket.