2018 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Tournament: Yale’s defense shuts down Loyola, moves on to semifinals with 8-5 win

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — 28 years ago was the last time the Yale Bulldogs reached Championship Weekend. None of the current players on this year’s Yale team were born, and Loyola Greyhounds head coach Charley Toomey was their goalie.

Fast forward to today in a rainy Shuart Stadium on the campus of Hofstra University where the Bulldogs turned on their defense en route to an 8-5 victory over Loyola.

After an offensive first quarter where the Bulldogs led 5-3, Yale’s defense locked all windows and doors in the final 45 minutes, allowing two goals in the final three quarters. The Elis also didn’t let Loyola score for 33:43 of gametime, spanning from the second quarter until the fourth.

Ben Reeves led Yale in scoring with a trio of goals and assists. His six points gives him 102 points on the season, breaking the program’s single-season points record set by Jason O’Neill in 1990 when he had 99 points. Jackson Morrill recorded three assists, and John Daniggelis scored twice.

Those eight goals came despite a career performance from Loyola goaltender Jacob Stover. The junior made a remarkable 19 saves in the loss, setting a career-high. He was the best player for the Greyhounds today. Pat Spencer had a pair of goals and an assist, but was shut down for the most part by freshman defenseman Chris Fake.

The defense was also very strong in transition. Against Loyola’s quick-striking unit, the Bulldogs forced Loyola to go 16-of-23 on clearing attempts, including 6-of-12 in the second half.

Conor Mackie went 12-of-17 from the face-off X with eight groundballs in a dominant effort from the senior.

More to come from Hempstead.