With two wins in the elimination bracket on Friday, roller hockey advanced to the semifinals at the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) Division I Championship at the Southwest Youth Ice Arena in Fargo, North Dakota.  The Lions outlasted the University of Missouri 5-2 and then defeated the University of California – Santa Barbara 5-1.

In the game at was much closer than the final indicated against the Tigers, Adam Swims started the scoring for Lindenwood with a power play goal at 4:37 of the first on a play set up by Nick DellaMorte.  After Mizzou tied it just over a minute later, Swims struck again at the 11:00 mark, assisted by Daniel Rosse and Michael Schrader.  It was a defensive second period with only one goal from the Tigers, so the final frame began in a 2-2 tie.

With the next goal being important for momentum, neither team scored until midway through the third when Rosse hit the back of the net for the Lions at 5:59 off a feed from Jalen Krogman.  Lindenwood clamped down on defense, forcing the Tigers to pull their goalie late.  DellaMorte took advantage with an empty netter with 25 seconds remaining and then Krogman added another goal in the final seconds.

The Lions outshot Mizzou 34-11 and Jacob Robinson stopped nine of the 11 shots he faced to earn the victory in goal.  Swims earned Star #1 honors with two goals and an assist, DellaMorte earned Star #2 honors with a goal and two assists, and Rosse was named Star #3 with a goal and assist.

The contest against the Gauchos proved a bit more comfortable for Lindenwood, despite UC – Santa Barbara scoring first.  The Lions responded with a short-handed goal from DellaMorte at 9:26 of the first, set-up by Krogman, and the game went into the second tied at one.

Lindenwood started to pull away with two unanswered goals in the period, the first coming from DellaMorte at 5:30, assisted by Nick Schnelle.  Jake Escarcega struck at 9:26 off a pass from Krogman to give the Lions a 3-1 advantage.

Schnelle made it 4-1 early in the third on an unassisted play and Swims sounded the horn at 6:24 on a power play with help from Krogman and Schnelle.

Lindenwood outshot the Gauchos 26-15 and Robinson stopped 14 of 15 shots in goal.  Schnelle was named Star #1 with a goal and two assists, DellaMorte earned Star #2 honors with two goals, and Krogman was named Star #3 with three assists.

The Lions improved to 27-1 overall for the season and face Bethel University (Tenn.) on Saturday in the national semifinals.  With a win, Lindenwood would advance to the national championship game against either Farmingdale State College or Grand Valley State Saturday evening. The puck drops at 12:15 p.m. against the Wildcats at the Southwest Youth Ice Arena in Fargo, North Dakota.  Live streaming is available through the NCRHA site.