PETERBOROUGH – Defeating the Bishop's Gaiters 8-7 in a quarter-final showdown on Friday night in Peterborough, the Brock Badgers men's lacrosse team secured their place in the CUFLA Baggataway Cup semifinal round.

The Badgers fell behind 2-0 early facing an unfamiliar opponent in the CUFLA East division foe. However, Brock scored four unanswered goals courtesy two from Blair Pachereva, and single markers from Sam Leclair and Aidan Buis to close out the opening frame and take a lead they would not relinquish.

Late in the fourth quarter Bishop's was able to close the gap to just a one goal game with 47 seconds left, and get possession back, but with strong defensive pressure and a final save from Badgers goalie Connor O'Toole, Brock secured their berth to the semifinals.

Pachevera finished the contest with a team-high four points from a hat-trick and one assist. Meanwhile, Leclair notched two goals and Buis added two assists to his single marker. Rounding out scoring for the Badgers was Andrew Rybka and Mitchell Zulian.

Prior to the start of the quarter-final round CUFLA announced their 2022 All-Canadians with defensive midfielder Mitchell Armstrong and midfielder Zulian both receiving the honours. Zulian led the Badgers in scoring this season with 22 points from 14 goals and eight assists. Meanwhile, Armstrong was a force on the back line for Brock with his long stick. Also receiving CUFLA honourable mentions for the Badgers were midfielder Buis and defence Nathan Fehr.

The victory sets up a 2021 Baggataway Cup Championship rematch in the semifinal round as the Badgers will challenge the Guelph Gryphons on Saturday afternoon in Trent. Action is set to begin at 4:30 p.m.

BADGERS AT A GLANCE
Overall Record: 8-4
Conference Record: 6-4

Next game: Saturday, Nov. 5 vs Guelph Gryphons • 4:30 PM - Peterborough, ON

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