Bulldogs Drop Two More Heartbreakers to Ranked Opponents

The UMD Bulldogs can't buy a win against a solid, ranked opponent in 2011.  On Friday night, UMD dropped a close one to #17 Illinois 9-7, and on Saturday they lost to #6 Michigan State in another 2 point loss, 10-8.  While both were two point losses, the games couldn't have been more different.

Junior Midfielder Matt Madden

On Friday night, the Bulldogs jumped out to an early 4-1 lead behind goals from Drake Peterson, Andrew Straus, Matt Madden and Spencer Balfanz.  They then allowed the Illini to battle back to tie the game 4-4.  From that point it appeared the Bulldogs were again taking the game back behind three unanswered goals by Alex McNamara, Pat Struzyk and Madden's second goal of the game.

Instead, the Illini took the game by the throat from that point and it appeared the Bulldogs could do nothing to stop them.  The game ended with 5 unanswered Illinois goals and a final 9-7 loss for UMD in a game that appeared to favor UMD through the first 3 periods.

Saturday's game couldn't have started any differently.  Saturday saw the #6 ranked Spartans jump out to an 8-3 lead.  Michigan State led 9-4 early in the 4th quarter when the Bulldogs stormed back behind goals from Matt Madden, Bobby Moore and Alex McNamara to close the game to one at 9-8.  From there, the Bulldogs could get no closer and the Spartans tacked on one more insurance goal to ensure the 10-8 victory.

UMD will need to secure the UMLL conference title to gain the automatic bid and entry into the MCLA national championship tournament.  Once there, they'll need to find the chemistry to pull out the close wins against the good, ranked teams they'll face in the tournament.  If they don't, they'll be leaving the dance early in 2011.