Trinity has a chance to win its first NCAA Division 3 championship in nine years – without ever leaving Hartford, Conn.
Monday’s selection show saw four teams from the region make the NCAA championship field of 13 teams – conference champs Trinity (NESCAC), Endicott (Commonwealth Coast) and Plymouth State (MASCAC), plus Curry, which received an at-large bid.
Trinity was the only team from that group to receive a bye into the quarterfinals, a game it will host on March 16.
Here is a closer look at the region’s teams in the field and their NCAA tourney paths.
TRINITY
Record: 23-3-1, won NESCAC tournament | Next game: Quarterfinals: March 16 vs. Elmira/Endicott winner
Trinity ranks second in the nation in scoring defense (1.30 goals per game) and fourth in penalty killing (90.5 percent). It is 0-2 this season against teams in the NCAA field, losing one-goal games to Curry and Hobart.
The Frozen Four will be held on campus at the Koeppel Community Sports Center on March 21 and 23.
ENDICOTT
Record: 17-5-5, won Commonwealth Coast tournament | Next game: First round: March 9 at Elmira (19-7-1)
Senior forward Andrew Kurapov (11-20-31) leads a parade of five Endicott players with at least 20 points. His team ranks 13th in D-3 in scoring (3.70 goals per game) and ninth in goals allowed (2.0).
After hosting the Frozen Four a year ago at Raymond J. Bourque Arena, the Gulls got no favors from the NCAA tournament committee, getting sent on the road to play a good Elmira team that finished fourth in a stacked NEHC and is averaging better than 4 goals a game.
CURRY
Record: 20-5-1, lost to Salve Regina in Commonwealth Coast semifinals | Next game: First round: March 9 at SUNY-Geneseo (21-5)
It’s back-to-back trips to the NCAA tournament for the Colonels, who had to endure some sleepless nights after getting ushered out of the CCC tournament in the semifinals by Salve Regina, 7-2.
That loss belied what has been a terrific stretch run for Curry, which carried a 12-game win streak into the CCC tournament. Sophomore Gage Dill has produced a second straight superb season with 10 goals and 27 points, and junior Eelis Laaksonen has matched him with 12-15-27.
Freshman goalie Shane Soderwall (.942 save percentage) is a big reason why the Colonels are 11th in D-3 in scoring defense, allowing 2.04 goals per game.
PLYMOUTH STATE
Record: 23-2-2, won MASCAC tournament | Next game: First round: March 9 vs. Cortland (18-8-2)
Only one team in the nation (Hobart) is scoring more than their 5.0 goals a game. Sophomore forward Will Redick is D-3’s runaway leader in goals (26) and points (55), and a supporting cast includes junior Connor Tait (16-19-35) and seven other players who’ve produced more than 20 points.
Hanaway Rink, where the Panthers are 13-0-1 this season, is sure to be rocking on Saturday night. Maybe celebrating an NCAA tourney win, too.
NCAA DIVISION 3 TOURNAMENT
FIRST ROUND
Saturday, March 9
Endicott (17-5-5) at Elmira (19-7-1)
Wisconsin-Stevens Point (21-5-2) at Adrian (22-6-1)
St. Olaf (14-11-3) at St. Norbert (22-6)
Curry (20-5-1) at SUNY-Geneseo (21-5)
Cortland (18-8-2) at Plymouth State (23-2-2)
QUARTERFINALS
Saturday, March 16
Endicott/Elmira winner at Trinity (23-3-1)
Wisconsin-Stevens Point/Adrian winner vs. St. Olaf/St. Norbert winner
Curry/SUNY-Geneseo winner at Hobart (25-2-1)
Cortland/Plymouth State winner at Utica (23-2-3)
FROZEN FOUR
March 21 and 23 at Hartford, Conn.
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