Bentley, Middlebury Round Out DII 16
Bentley, Middlebury Round Out DII 16
Bentley and Middlebury both won playoff games on the road to finalize the national men's DII Round of 16.
To see the entire Round of 16 bracket, go here: DII College Latest
Middlebury found out late this past week that if they beat Rhode Island on Friday they would play a playoff game on Sunday. Initially it looked as if Rhode Island or Vermont would be the team playing at Plymouth State on Sunday, but plans changed and Friday's Middlebury v Rhode Island game became a winner-take-all. The week before, Middlebury he defeated Vermont 19-12 to put themselves in position to take this playoff spot.
Two tries from Henry Kremer and two from Jake Feury saw Middlebury past Rhode Island 42-13. That win was sufficient, and Middlebury traveled to Plymouth State on Sunday. And then Jake Feury took over. Feury kicked two early penalty goals, and then intercepted a Plymouth State pass to score a try, which he converted. That made it 13-0. Plymouth State replied with a try to make it 13-7, and then opened the second half with a try to make it 13-12. Feury hit another penalty to make it 16-12, and then another to put the score at 19-12.
Both teams scored tries late in the game, and Middlebury was through 26-19.
Meanwhile, Bentley also won a Sunday playoff game. John Tascione scored a try and Niall Collins converted to make it 7-0. SUNY Cortland tied it up, and then Collins slotted a penalty to make it 10-7. Cortland scored a second try to take the lead at halftime, 12-10. Cortland extended that lead in the second half to 19-10, but then Tascione responded with a try and put Bentley within two at 19-17.
Late in the game, Mike Spiegel scored to put Bentley ahead, and one more try sealed it for the Massachusetts team 31-19.
"Cortland was tough and made some great tackles," said Bentley Head Coach Brian Pendergast. "They had a relentless forward attack but our guys stood tall and trusted each other to make the plays when we needed to. I am proud of their determination, work ethic, and teamwork."
So Bentley joins Southern Connecticut in the top 16.
Also in the final 16:
Rowan, Illinois State, Norwich, Coast Guard, UNC-Charlotte, UW-Whitewater, Minnesota-Duluth, Colorado School of Mines, Western State, North Dakota State, Sacred Heart, Furman, NC State, and Southern Connecticut.