The Colorado College men's lacrosse team turned in a record-breaking offensive performance and claimed its sixth Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference crown with a 31-11 dismantling of Southwestern University on Sunday at Washburn Field. 

Sixteen different Tigers scored at least one goal as CC re-claimed the tournament record and set a new mark for goals in the championship game. The Pirates held the tournament record for less than 48 hours after posting a 28-4 win over Centenary College in Friday's semifinal game.

It also was the most goals scored by Colorado College since a 31-2 victory at Centenary on April 19, 2013.

"Our goal was to come out and do it in dominating fashion," head coach Sean Woods said. "We definitely wanted to make a statement. This time of year, you have to be playing your best ball and it means something to the (selection) committee to see a team playing their best at the end. If you look at Colorado College, you see a tough loss against Lynchburg. but a quick rebound and a dominating game against a good team.
    

    
CC, ranked No. 18 in the USILA/Dynamic Coaches Division III Poll and No. 14 by US Lacrosse Magazine, scored three times during the opening 5:03 and never trailed. The Pirates were within 6-3 after Jacob Hamilton scored with 3:19 remaining in the first quarter, but Anders Erickson struck for back-to-back markers as Colorado College began to pull away.

Zac Asbury, the SCAC's all-time points leader scored with 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter, and after Erickson added his fourth tally 2:28 into the second quarter, Cody Foster's goal trimmed CC's lead to 9-5.

From that point on, or at least until the game was delayed by lightning with 5:14 remaining in the third quarter, it was all Tigers.

Declan Maguire and Makay Hansen struck for two goals apiece as Colorado College closed out the first half on a 7-0 run to build a 16-5 lead.

The onslaught continued during the third quarter when the Tigers scored the first nine goals of the frame, including four in a span of 68 seconds.

Hansen's third goal 3:37 into the second half off of a feed from Elliot Nelson was his 50th in less than two full seasons. It also was Nelson's sixth assist of the game, which set an SCAC tournament record.

Nelson held sole possession of the mark for the next 5:32 until Erickson assisted on four of five Declan Maguire's man-up goal that gave CC a 25-5 lead.

Following a 95-minute delay, the Tigers rewarded their reserves with some tournament experience, and it took Colin Millikin 11 seconds to add to the scoring run.

Colorado College's Philip Gisler added a hat trick during the final 20 minutes, while Max Carneal and George Schlesinger each added their first postseason goals.

Erickson, who led the Tigers with five goals and 11 points, was named the championships Offensive MVP.

Billy Hutchison had four ground balls and a caused turnover, and was named the Defensive MVP.
    

    
"Anders is an All-American type player," Woods said. "We're really fortunate for him to come to our program. He's a great leader and he's one of those phenomenal players who makes everyone around him better.

"Billy is the best leader I've coached since I've been here, and that says a lot because I've coached some amazing leaders. He's become one of the best defenders in Division III. He was a long-stick middie his first couple of years, he was a man-down guy for a while, and now he's one of the elite defenders in Division III." 

Colorado College finished the game with a 71-37 advantage in total shots and a 47-22 edge in ground balls. The Tigers also won 30 of 46 faceoffs.

"That's a good team we beat today and we did it in dominating fashion," Woods said. "I love what coach Bowman does with his squad. It's definitely all class and there's never any bad blood. But at the same time, they are a conference foe and we've never lost to them and we need to keep that streak alive."

CC improved to 6-1 all-time in the SCAC Championship and now has won five of six conference titles.

Colorado College will learn its postseason fate on Sunday, May 9, when the brackets for the 2021 NCAA Division III Men's Lacrosse Championship are unveiled.    

"We played our best game, and that's what I challenged our guys to do," Woods said. "The big boys play their best in May and hopefully a week from today we'll hear our name selected and we'll be able to go make some noise in the tournament."
    
   
Colorado College Standouts
Ben Anastos made six saves during nearly 40 minutes in goal.
Jack Haims produced a goal and three assists.
Arvin Fieldman won 11 of 15 faceoffs and picked up seven ground balls.
 
Southwestern University Standouts
Brady Middleton led the Pirates with three goals.
Zac Asbury produced two goals and an assist.
Sean Tracy picked up a team-high six ground balls.
 
Notes
Colorado College improved to 11-3.
Southwestern finished the season with a 7-5 record.