Greenwood, SC - For the first time in school history, Lander's Rocket League team will bring home the Carolina Collegiate Conference trophy.

Lander was met by the Cinderella of the C3 bracket, #4 UNC Charlotte. The Niners were coming in hot after their upset of the number 1 seeded Coastal Carolina. The #2 seeded Bearcats run to the championship included a 4-0 sweep of the Tar Heels and a 4-1 drubbing of #3 USC.

Game 1 was the first career playoff start for freshman Luke Rutland who contributed 1 goal and 1 assist in a 5-2 victory. Lander continued their hot hand in Game 2, with Joel Guillen and Carson Medlin combining for all 3 goals in the win.

After a Game 3 victory behind a 3 goal game from Carson Medlin and an insurance goal from Joel Guillen with less than a minute to play, Lander had UNC Charlotte at match point. 

The Niners weren't done yet though, despite an early 2-0 lead from Lander in Game 4. Trading blows all game long, Lander held a 1 goal lead with 20 seconds to go before UNC Charlotte put in the tying goal to force overtime. In extra time, Lander swarmed the Niners defense with two early shots before Cook Jordan sealed the series for the Bearcats.

The win clinched Lander's first tournament conference championship of the Spring and the 6th in program history. Up next, Lander will face Wright State University in the NECC East Regional Semifinals next Wednesday at 7:30. 
 

Player Series Stats

Player	Games Played	Goals	Shots	Assists	Saves	Demos Inflicted	Demos Taken
Carson Medlin	4	10	20	0	2	10	3
Joel Guillen	4	4	12	7	6	13	4
Cook Jordan	2	2	5	4	3	3	1
Luke Rutland	2	1	2	2	1	5	0

 

Team Series Stats

Lander		UNC Charlotte
17	Goals	8
39	Shots	27
43.59%	Shooting %	29.63%
13	Assists	7
12	Saves	22
31	Demos	8