#6 Ocelots Advance to National Tournament With Northeast District Championship Victory

LIVONIA, Mi- The #6 ranked Schoolcraft Ocelots won the Northeast district championship game over Mercy County Community College (NJ) to punch their ticket to the national championship tournament in Tucson, Arizona.

The start of the first half was a very methodical feeling out period as both teams were just trying to figure each other out. The Ocelots would still have their opportunity where up until the 40^th minute, the game was scoreless, but Schoolcraft missed their fair share of chances inside of the 18-yard box. In the 40^th minute, the Ocelots would draw a penalty from around forty yards out and Gavin Brose would not miss his opportunity. A laser into the top right corner would put the Ocelots up 1-0 right before half.

The second half saw the Ocelots fight off a couple of Mercer attacks but thanks to the back line and keeper Brenden Ware, Mercer would be held off the board. In the 69^th minute, Caetano Amaral would cut into the box and laser one home, this time into the top left corner, to extend the Ocelots lead. This goal would be Amaral's third goal of the year. For the last twenty minutes of the game, it would be the Ocelot defense standing tall and not letting any slight chances come to fruition for Mercer.

Brenden Ware was stellar in net for the Ocelots. Ware would make nine saves in what would be his fifth clean sheet of the year.

The Ocelots now shift their attention to Tuesday where the NJCAA selection show will take place so Schoolcraft can learn who and when they will be playing in Tucson, Arizona. The last time Schoolcraft made it to the national tournament, the Ocelots fell just short in the national championship game in 2017.