SALEM, W.Va. — Salem University rallied from an early three-goal deficit and scored the first goal of overtime, but the second-seeded Tigers fell to top-seeded Gannon University, 14-13, in overtime to allow the Golden Knights to claim the 2019 Division II Eastern Championship at Salem University Pool. The contest became a winner-takes-all title game after No. 4 seed Mercyhurst University defeated No. 3 seed McKendree University, 16-14, in the first game on Sunday, October 27.
Tigers’ senior driver Milos Popovic was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Popovic scored four goals against Gannon and finished with 15 goals in three tournament games to extend his school-record career total to 304 goals. Senior utility player Michael Rojas joined Popovic on the All-Tournament Team.
Salem took a 12-11 lead on Adam Hudson‘s goal with 2:57 left in regulation. Hudson nearly gave the Tigers a two-goal lead, but Gannon goalkeeper Jacob Hollo made the stop. Hollo was named Goalkeeper and Rookie of the Tournament.
Gannon tied the game on a goal by Drago Marjanovic with 1:55 remaining. Hollo was credited with the assist.
Both teams had shots hit the post and Robert Juhas blocked a Gannon shot in the final minute to help send the game into overtime. Salem, which held Gannon scoreless in the second quarter, limited the Golden Knights to a single goal in the fourth.
After Tigers’ goalkeeper Julen Alonso made a save early in the first three-minute overtime period, Petar Leontijevic scored off a pass from Juhas to put Salem back on top 13-12 with 1:55 remaining. Alonso made saves on three Gannon shots to preserve the Tigers’ lead as the two teams switched ends of the pool for the second three-minute period.
Gannon evened the score at 13-13 after a goal by Anthony Squeglia with 1:25 remaining. After Hollo stopped a Tigers’ shot, Marjanovic put the Golden Knights ahead for good on a goal with 33 seconds remaining. Gannon forced a Salem turnover and was able to run the clock out to seal the win.
Salem spotted Gannon the first three goals of the contest and still trailed 5-2 when Rojas’ goal with 3:27 left in the first quarter triggered a Tigers’ rally. Manuel Soto Estela scored with 2:37 remaining and Alonso recorded saves on five consecutive Golden Knight shots as Salem pulled within 5-4 at the end of the first stanza.
Leontijevic’s goal 34 seconds into the second quarter tied the game and his power play goal with 4:21 left before halftime gave Salem its first lead at 6-5. Juhas completed the Tigers’ 5-0 run on a goal with 2:10 remaining as Salem led 7-5 at the break.
Ryan Hinkley, who scored Gannon’s last goal with 3:41 left in the first quarter, ended the Golden Knights’ near 14-minute scoreless drought on a goal with exactly six minutes left in the third quarter.
Popovic sandwiched a pair of goals in a 29-second span around a Marjanovic goal for Gannon to build Salem’s lead back to two goals. But the Golden Knights ended the third quarter with four unanswered goals to take an 11-9 lead heading into the fourth.
Popovic scored 44 seconds into the fourth quarter and Alonso assisted on a goal by Juhas with 5:11 left in regulation to tie the game again at 11-11, the third of five ties in the game. There were also four lead changes in the contest, the final lead change in the last minute of overtime.
Juhas and Leontijevic added three goals apiece for Salem. Juhas, Popovic and Rojas each recorded three assists. Alonso finished with 13 saves.
Order of Finish
1. Gannon (3-0)
2. Salem (1-2)*
3. Mercyhurst (1-2)**
4. McKendree (1-2)
*Salem wins three-way tie-breaker by virtue of highest goal differential
**Mercyhurst wins two-way tie-breaker by virtue of head-to-head win over McKendree
All-Tournament Team
Jacob Hollo (Goalie), Gannon University
Jack Donnelly, Gannon University
Drago Marjanovic, Gannon University
Anthony Squeglia, Gannon University
Joseph Mahan, McKendree University
Jesus Osorio, McKendree University
Milos Popovic, Salem University
Michael Rojas, Salem University
Ryan Witoslawski, Mercyhurst University
Individual Awards:
Shane Unger, Gannon – Coach of the Tournament
Milos Popovic, Salem – Most Valuable Player
Jacob Hollo, Gannon – Goalie/Rookie of the Tournament
Release courtesy Salem University Athletics Communications
2019 Division II Eastern Championship All-Tournament Team
2019 Division II Eastern Championship Rookie of the Tournament – Jacob Hollo (Gannon University) w/ Salem University Head Coach Rob Bullion
2019 Division II Eastern Championship Coach of the Tournament – Shane Unger (Gannon University) w/ Salem University Head Coach Rob Bullion
2019 Division II Eastern Championship Most Valuable Player – Milos Popovic (Salem University) w/ Salem University Head Coach Rob Bullion
2019 Division II Eastern Championship Runner-Up – Salem University
2019 Division II Eastern Champion – Gannon University
