GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Westminster men's lacrosse team extended its season by one more game with a 16-11 win over Rockhurst in the semifinals of the inaugural Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Men's Lacrosse Tournament on Friday evening.
 

LIVE on #Periscope: #RMACmlax Westmister Griffins with an 16-11 win https://t.co/2yB92ov12f

— RMAC Sports (@RMAC_SPORTS) May 7, 2016

 
Westminster (9-2), the tournament's No. 2 seed, will play for the title on Saturday afternoon when they face No. 1-seed and tournament host Colorado Mesa.
 
"While we didn't play our best game of the year I am certainly pleased with the outcome," Westminster head coach Mason Goodhand said of the win. "These men have worked hard this season and this was a fun one."
 
The Griffins never trailed on Friday as they defeated Rockhurst (9-8) for the third time this season. They opened the game with the first three goals and maintained a two-goal advantage for nearly 48 minutes of action.
 
"We knew Rockhurst was going to hang with us," Westminster senior Elias Fairman said. "Once we fought through the jitters we played pretty well."
 
Josh Holland – the RMAC Midfielder of the Year – led the Griffins with five goals on the day to notch his third game this season with at least five goals. He took 11 shots in the win with 10 on cage. Thomas Sarjeant, a fellow First Team All-RMAC performer, had three goals and four assists for his third straight game with at least six points and fourth of the year.
 
The teams played a fairly even first half as the Griffins lead was just 8-6 at the break. Rockhurst had a 20-17 edge in shots during the opening 30 minutes and they forced the Griffins into 11 turnovers. Westminster led by three heading into the final quarter after out-shooting the Hawks 14-5 in the third quarter.
 
Westminster would then score on five of its nine shots in the fourth quarter. They were able to fend off the Hawks pressure as Philip Cannell made seven saves in the fourth quarter.
 
The Griffins won 16 of 30 faceoffs, but Rockhurst finished with a 29-27 edge in ground balls. Westminster had 19 turnovers for the game and were just 12 of 18 in clearing attempts.
 
Westminster got a hat trick from Blake Bruner and Cole Flinders added two goals. Christian Pompoco recorded one goal and two assists. Jake Berard won 14 of 26 faceoffs with five ground balls. Chase Flinders and Kolton Atkinson also had five ground balls apiece.
 
Cannell finished the game with 12 saves for his fifth double-digit save outing of the year. He earned his ninth win of the year.
 
Michael Beckham led Rockhurst with five goals and 13 shots.
 
Saturday's championships game will begin at 3 p.m. from Walker Field and be streamed live on Griffins TV at portal.stretchinternet.com/Westminster and also available at RMACSPORTS.tv.