ROMEOVILLE, ILL. – The No. 2 seeded Maryville men's lacrosse team erupted for five goals in just under three minutes in the second quarter to down No. 3 seed Rockhurst 17-8 in the semifinals of the 2026 Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament. The Saints advance to the GLVC finals against host and No. 1 seed Lewis Sunday, April 26, at 1 p.m. in Romeoville, Ill. Trent Zimay tallied a hat trick during the crucial second quarter to key the Maryville victory, and Griffin Johnson led the team with five goals. The 17 goals are the most surrendered this season by the Hawk netminder Brock Ollila, the GLVC Goalie of the Year.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
After Rockhurst scored first two goals of the game, Wyatt Robertson drove down the left side and fired in a shot to pull the Saints to within 2-1. Both teams generated five shots apiece but goalie play kept the score 2-1 in Rockhurst's favor after the opening frame.
 
Rockhurst rebuilt a two-goal lead before Ben Mickett rocketed in a shot from the right side of the cage to cut into the deficit and start the spree. Reme Lobitz collected a pass on the left side, curled all the way to the far side and tucked in a shot to pull the Saints even at 3-3. Andrew Skifstad won the ensuing faceoff, and Trent Zimay launched in an overhand shot just 37 seconds later for Maryville's first lead. Shea Raeburn won the next draw, and Chris Anderson took the ball and went low for another goal only 41 ticks later. The Saints played more make it take it, and another faceoff win by Skifstad. Zimay sprinted down the right side and slid in a low shot as the Saints extended their advantage to 6-3. The Hawks scored to end the Maryville run but Zimay completed a hat trick in the second quarter with his third goal to boost the Saints to a 7-4 margin at halftime.
 
The Hawks pulled to within 7-5 but the Saints again had the answer. Griffin Johnson tallied a man-up goal to start a run of three straight. Lobitz scored his second of the day before Johnson found the back of the net for a 10-5 advantage. The Saints maintained the score line heading into the fourth.
 
The Saints put the game away early in the fourth quarter with another five unanswered goals in a span of 2:50 as Maryville tallied nine straight. The margin ballooned to as much as 16-5 as the Saints cruised into the GLVC championship game for the third straight season. Andrew Skifstad ignited the attack and won 8-of-14 at the faceoff dot.
 
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Goals: Griffin Johnson - 5
Assists: Brenden Blondel and Flint Thielen - 2
Points: Griffin Johnson - 5
Ground Balls: Carter Bies and Wyatt Robertson - 4
Caused Turnovers: Carter Bies and Zach Johnson - 2
Faceoff Wins: Andrew Skifstad - 8
Saves: Evan Alfano - 10
 
RECORDS
(2) Maryville: 11-3
(3) Rockhurst: 10-5
 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Saints take on top-seed Lewis in the championship game of the GLVC Tournament Sunday, 26, in a 1 p.m. start at Lewis Stadium.