Rochester Tech athletics photo

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. – RIT senior attackman Quinn Commandant totaled three goals and an assist while senior goalie Drew Hutchison made 16 saves to lead the Tigers to a 12-10 victory over Union in the NCAA Division III national championship game.

The game was played in front of an announced crowd of 14,650 at Rentschler Field, home stadium for the University of Connecticut.
 
RIT fell behind, 7-2, with 4:49 left in the second quarter before back-to-back goals by sophomore midfielder John Mozrall brought the Tigers back within three, 7-4, heading into halftime. RIT (22-1) outscored the Dutchmen, 4-0, in the third quarter, including two straight goals by Commandant which gave the Tigers their first lead of the game. 

Senior midfielder Marley Angus and senior midfielder Ryan Barnable opened the fourth quarter with consecutive goals to extend the RIT run to, 8-0, for a 10-7 lead with 11:48 left in regulation. 

Union broke its nearly 25-minute scoreless drought with 11:26 on the clock, before Tiger junior attackman Luke Pilcher notched a man-up tally at 8:28 to push the lead back to three, 11-8. The Dutchmen scored with 7:00 on the clock, but sophomore midfielder Seth Grottenthaler scored on the run at 5:39 for a 12-9 lead which proved insurmountable.

"Wow, that was another incredible game. We had a really tough start today, and I think our guys showed what they've done all year – they just kept grinding and playing with a lot of heart, hustle, grit and toughness," said RIT coach Jake Coon.

Hutchison was named the Tournament Most Outstanding Player after helping hold off the Dutchmen during the Tiger comeback, including five saves in the third quarter. 

Angus notched two goals and two assists, while Mozzrall also added a pair of assists in the winning effort.  

RIT is the sixth team in Division III history to win back-to-back national championships and the first since Salisbury won in 2016 and 2017.