Spartans Prevail in CCLA Semi-Finals

05 May, 2008

Brian Kegley Scores Game Winner in Fourth

By Josh Dutt

A hungry Michigan State squad moved onto the tournament finals after mounting a comeback against the Buffalo Bulls in the second half. Brian Kegley's goal with 2:30 remaining in the game would prove to be the game winner and final score of the game.

Michael Schumacher again led off the scoring for the Spartans with a bouncing shot that got past the Buffalo goalie. The next State goal was one for the highlight reel. Connor Bush took a pass from Joe Stephanoff while cutting towards the goal and snapped a shot around his head while falling to put the Spartans ahead 2-0 going into the second quarter.

After a Buffalo goal on the man up, MSU would add to the games highlights. Goalie Dean Hall saved a Buffalo shot and ran the ball towards the sideline to his left. He then did his best Tom Brady impression passing the ball the length of the field to a streaking Louis Turner. Turner took the pass near the left sideline, cut across the field and deked the Buffalo goalie out of his cleats. Turner scored and drew a penalty on a Buffalo defender in the process for an illegal body check.

Three straight Buffalo goals going into halftime put the Bulls up 4-3 at the half. Brian Kegley quickly tied the score in the second half at 4-4. The Bulls would then go on another run of this time four straight goals. Facing an 8-4 deficit, State rallied around their captains.

Steve Schimpke would start the comeback taking a pass from Dan Witt and depositing it in the back of the net. Then on a breakaway in transition Tim Shoemaker made a quick pass to Brian Kegley who ripped a shot past the Buffalo goalie cutting the Bulls lead to 8-6 going into the final quarter.

A Buffalo penalty would put the Spartans on the man up early in the fourth and they would take advantage. Dan Witt found Connor Bush for MSU's seventh goal of the game. The man who started the comeback would also finish it. Schimpke tied the game on the Spartans next man up opportunity, tying the score at eight.

After a Buffalo goal put MSU again down by one, the Spartans just wouldn't go away. Joe Stephanoff knotted up the game ripping a shot past the Bulls keeper. Brian Kegley added the game winner on an assist from Steve Schimpke to send the Spartans to the Championship game on Sunday.