Tommies triumphant over Johnnies!

04/21/2011, 8:00am (CDT)

By UST Lax

Stephan Bang shines in rain & snow

Junior Kevin Gause applies the facial

Published Date: 04/21/2011

St. Thomas and St. Johns have played some memorable games over the years, but the most recent clash between these two conference rivals will be remembered for the weather as much as the game. It has often been said that this might be one of the best, most intense rivalries in all of the MCLA Division 2. Over the last several years, these two teams have faced each other at least twice each year, once in the regular season and once more in the finals of the UMLL playoffs. The Tommies held the advantage over the Johnnies last year, winning both contests and were looking to make it 4 wins in a row.

With game time temperatures in the 30’s and the sky threatening, fans from both sides came prepared for the elements. A rain/snow mixture and gusty winds were present the entire game, but that just added to the drama. St. Johns started off the scoring in the first when freshman attackman Jacob Hellmer found the back of the net. St. Thomas responded with a pair of goals from junior Michael Fitzgerald and freshman Will Hersman. The teams duplicated this scoring in the second quarter, giving St. Thomas a slim 4-2 lead at the half.

In the second half, things opened up a bit more and the Tommies took control on both halves of the field. Sophomores Ryan Beeson and David Burke, who scored two and three goals, respectively, led the St. Thomas offense. The defense, led by sophomore Steven Bang’s 18 save performance, was able to hold the Johnnie offense to just one second half goal and generated several odd man opportunities in transition as St. Thomas came away with a 12-3 win.

SJU